PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology

• Cancer genome instability (Prof. Capranico, Prof. Marinello)
• Molecular biotechnology of phages for the development of theranostic vector platforms (Prof. Danielli)
• Computational and functional genomics (Prof. Ferrè)
• Computational transcriptomics of human gene networks (Prof. Giorgi)
• Genomic analysis and molecular basis of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders (Prof. Maestrini, Prof. Bacchelli)
• Cellular and molecular basis of neuropathologies (Prof. Monti)
• Gene expression regulation in cancer (Prof. Perini)
• Molecular characterization of solid tumors (Prof. De Biase)
• Mitochondria dysfunctions in neurodegenerative diseases and mitochondria gene mutations in cancer (Prof. Porcelli, Prof. Ghelli)
• Molecular and genetic basis of bacterial pathogenesis (Prof. Scarlato, Prof. Roncarati)
• Molecular mechanisms of redox signalling and energy metabolism regulations in plants (Prof. Trost, Prof. Sparla)
• Molecular and functional analyses of human and environmental microbial communities: interactions between microorganisms and habitat (Prof. Cappelletti, Prof. Vitali)
• Structures, functions and interactions of metalloproteins (Prof. Zambelli)
• Microbial and innate immune mechanisms at the start of infection (Prof. Oggioni)

Appointed by RD n. 709/2023 Prot n. 149534 on Jun 02, 2023

The aim of the PhD programme is to train a highly skilled professional, capable to conduct scientific investigations, analyzing and interpreting experimental results, formulating and testing scientific hypotheses, communicating the results achieved, and in organizing and planning both basic and applied research issues driving modern Biology. The program consists of both lecture courses and research activities, and aims to provide students with more in-depth general knowledge of Cell and Molecular Biology. At the same time, it provides training in experimental research in a specific topic. The flexibility of the program allows the adaptation to the specific interests of each candidate, with training focusing in one of the many areas of modern biology.

Topics common to all the PhDs programs of the Department:

• Digital processing of biomolecular images, (15 hours). Lecturer: Prof. Alberto Danielli
• Basic course in Laboratory Animal Science (15 hours). Lecturers: Prof. Barbara Monti, Prof. Monica Forni, Prof. Luca Lorenzini.
• Introduction to research funded by the European Union and Protection and Enhancement of Intellectual Property (6 hours). Organizer: ARIC - Dr. Simone Maccaferri and Dr. Maria Grazia Fumo.
• Academic English Skills (2 modules of 24 hours). Organizer: Centro Linguistico di Ateneo.
• Specific teachings for the PhD:
• Annual workshop of the doctoral program on research topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology (16 hours). Responsible: Prof. V. Scarlato / Prof. Davide Roncarati.
• Communicating science: languages, narratives and tools (15 hours). Lecturer: Prof. B. Zambelli.
• Biocrystallography (15 hours). Lecturer: Dr. Luca Mazzei.
• Methods to study the architecture and function of chromatin (15 hours). Lecturer: Dr. Giorgio Milazzo.
• Structure and function of regulatory and catalytic RNAs (15 hours). Lecturer: to be appointed
• Technologies for genome instability (15 hours): Lecturer: Prof.ssa Jessica Marinello
• Course on a specific topic of the doctoral thesis project (20 hours): Each professor of the college will carry out specific teachings on their own research topic.

Seminars or cycles of seminars of the Department to which the doctorate pertains (30 hours/year held by professors/experts in the subject). Organization: Prof. Anna Maria Porcelli and Prof. Giovanni Capranico.

Interdisciplinary seminars of the Institute of Advanced Studies of the University of Bologna (20 hours/year held by professors/matter experts).

Tutoring activities in the laboratory teachings of Bachelor's and/or Master's degree courses related to the research topics addressed (maximum 60 hours/year).

The training program includes activities common to all students, as well as individual and specific activities, aimed both at the acquisition of skills in planning, implementation, and critical interpretation of the obtained experiments, and at executing a specific research project decided in agreement with the faculty members of the PhD program. Candidates develop and consolidate their knowledge acquired through cycles of seminars, specific theoretical courses, participation in conferences, discussion of experimental results both within the research group (Journal clubs and date clubs) and within the Faculty with the participation of supervisors and all candidates.

Each candidate will spend a period of time in a research institution abroad.
The attractiveness of the PhD program at the international level is good, with about 7% (2 out of 30) of foreign candidates enrolled in the last three cycles.

The PhD candidate must be an author of publications in scientific international journals with impact factor and/or of publications in international journals without impact factor and/or of chapters in books and/or of reports in the form of oral or poster presentation at international/national conferences and/or international/national patents.