Program Overview

Program Overview

The PhD program in Molecular Medicine is designed to train researchers capable of carrying out bio-medical research projects with technologically advanced operating methods in the field of pathophysiological, diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and preventive medicine and molecular therapy.

Educational Goals

The objectives of the PhD in Molecular Medicine are:

1. To train researchers capable of carrying out bio-medical research projects with technologically advanced operating methods in the field of pathophysiological, diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and preventive medicine and molecular therapy.
2. To encourage the exploitation and investment of the entrepreneurial sectors of the emerging biotechnology industry and advanced translational biomedical research.

Program Structure

The educational project is divided into three curricula:

• Molecular Medicine
• Molecular Pathology and Physiopathology
• Endocrine-Metabolic Pathophysiology PhD students participate in theoretical-practical courses and seminars. Each PhD student will be entrusted with a research project to be carried out at one of the laboratories associated with the PhD program.

Evaluation and Assessment

Annually, PhD students will be evaluated through the preparation of a written draft and the discussion of a presentation with members of the PhD Board and the scientific staff.

Research Areas

Specific training objectives concern the following areas:

• Genetic diseases and genome analysis techniques, with reference to hereditary cancer syndromes
• Signal transduction pathways and biochemical methods of analysis
• Modifications of gene expression in pathological conditions and methods for studying gene expression
• Modifications of the proteome, post-translation modifications, and protein-protein interactions, protein stability, and degradation in physiological and pathological conditions and related methods of analysis
• Tumor-host interactions, inflammation, and immunity in neoplastic development and progression
• Bioinformatics and biostatistic analyses applied to oncology
• Endocrine and metabolic pathologies, aberrations of cellular and bioenergetic metabolism associated with human disease and related methods of investigation
• Genetic, molecular, and pathophysiological heterogeneity of autoimmune diabetes
• Development and analysis of cell models, organoid, and 3D cultures
• Development and analysis of animal models; genome editing methodologies (i.e., CrispR / Cas9)
• Development and use of vectors and methods for gene transfer, gene therapy approaches, also based on RNA
• Prognostic and predictive genetic profiles of efficacy for target therapies, liquid biopsy (cells, nucleic acids, and circulating vesicles), with reference to cancer

Program Details

• ID: 13719
• Course type: Dottorato
• Academic year: 2025/2026
• Positions: 10
• Grant numbers: 3
• Number of scholarships financed by institutions: 0
• Number of scholarships financed by consortiums: 4

Department and School

• Department: Medicina molecolare
• Coordinator: Giuseppe Giannini
• Staff: Vittorio Di Carlo
• School: Scuola di dottorato in Scienze mediche, sperimentali e cliniche

Curriculum

The program offers the following curricula:

• FISIOPATOLOGIA ENDOCRINO-METABOLICA
• PATOLOGIA E FISIOPATOLOGIA MOLECOLARE

Exam and Evaluation

• The oral exam can be taken in English.
• The exam will assess the knowledge of the language.
• The evaluation will be based on the preparation of a written draft and the discussion of a presentation with members of the PhD Board and the scientific staff.