(XLII cycle) Technologies and Science for Human Health (PhD course) - (ciclo XLII) Dottorato in Tecnologie e Scienze per la Salute dell'Uomo

PhD course description and objective

The PhD Programme in "Technologies and Sciences for Human Health" was accredited for the 39th cycle (Academic Year 2022/2023) and has continued its activities through the 40th and 41st cycles, following the strategic guidelines established by the founding Academic Board.

The aim of the PhD Programme is to train highly qualified researchers in the field of Technologies and Sciences applied to Human Health, providing students with open-mindedness, methodological rigor and a multidisciplinary approach to research. This objective is pursued through advanced training in experimental research in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology and Medicine, all aimed at generating knowledge applicable to the improvement of human health.

Research and teaching activities are carried out, whenever possible, in synergy by research groups with internationally recognized scientific expertise, within a well-established network of national and international collaborations involving universities, research institutions and industrial partners.

The research activities of the PhD Programme encompass a broad range of topics related to human health, spanning both fundamental research in nanosciences, biology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and medicine, and applied research in the industrial, food, environmental, diagnostic and therapeutic sectors. These research areas have significant scientific and societal impact and are fully consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To ensure that the educational project remains aligned with the continuous scientific and technological advances in the relevant disciplines, the PhD Programme has benefited from regular consultations with stakeholders, also in coordination with the Doctoral School of the University of Palermo, to monitor emerging training needs and research competencies relevant to the Programme. Discussions conducted by the Quality Assurance Committee and the PhD Academic Board with representatives from academia, healthcare institutions and industry have contributed to the continuous enhancement of the educational offer. In this context, the Programme has also benefited, in recent cycles, from additional PhD scholarships funded by the Sicilian Regional Government to support advanced training and research projects consistent with the strategic priorities of scientific and technological innovation for human health.

PhD students acquire research planning and implementation skills by participating in innovative research projects and are trained in the organization and management of experimental scientific research. Specialized training activities are designed to foster critical thinking, advanced experimental skills and the ability to independently manage research within a multidisciplinary and international environment.

Significant support in terms of research infrastructure and laboratory facilities is provided by the participating Departments and by the ATeN Center of the University of Palermo, an integrated research laboratory infrastructure unique in Europe in the field of technologies applied to human health, offering state-of-the-art facilities ranging from the synthesis and characterization of materials to in vivo testing (Ministerial Decree No. 1082 of 10 September 2021 – PNIR 2021–2027). 

MAIN RESEARCH TOPICS 

• Molecular Biophysics;
• Medical Physics;
• Theranostics;
• Materials and Nanotechnology for Human Health;
• Biotechnologies Applied to Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals;
• Study of the Mechanisms of Oncogenesis;
• In Vivo Models of Toxicology and Disease and Their Application in Preclinical Testing of Bioactive Molecules;
• Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics;
• Development and Validation of Systems and Technologies for Prosthetic Applications;
• Study of the Mechanisms of Genomic Instability and Their Impact on Human Health;
• Development and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Devices for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications. 

Administration

A 6 months’ research period abroad is required during the PhD program. In order to receive the expected 50% fellowship increase, the PhD board approval should be required in advance.

Missions and refunds: the rules of STEBICEF department have to be strictly followed ( https://www.unipa.it/dipartimenti/stebicef )

contact: missioni.stebicef@unipa.it

Rules and regulations  

Doctor Europaeus

University may grant the certification of "Doctor Europaeus," in addition to the title and the national value of its Doctoral Programme on a proposal of the Academic Board in respect to individual requests from one or more graduate students, provided the following four conditions:

(a) positive assessment of the thesis given by at least two professors from two European universities different from each other and from the university where the thesis is discussed;

(b) at least one member of the final examination commission must belong to a different university in a European country respect to that where the thesis is discussed and of those of the professors referred to in point (a);

(c) discussion of a part of the thesis in one of the official languages of the European Union different from that of the country where the thesis is discussed;

(d) performance of the research presented in the thesis during a stay of at least 3 months even not continuous in a European country different from the one where the candidate is registered.

Verified the compliance with all the requirements, the certification issue of Doctor Europaeus occurs simultaneously with that of Doctor of Research.

https://www.unipa.it/didattica/dottorati/dottorato-internazionale/doctor-europaeus/

(XL, XLI cycle) Technologies and Science for Human Health (PhD course) - (ciclo XL e ciclo XLI) Dottorato in Tecnologie e Scienze per la Salute dell'Uomo

PhD course description and objective

Aim of the PhD Course is to train highly qualified researchers in the field of Technologies and Sciences applied to Human Health. The course will provide the students with open-mindedness, methodological rigor and attitude in performing multidisciplinary research. This will be achieved through an intense training on experimental research topics related to Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology and Medicine, all aimed at developing knowledge applicable to human health. The research activities as well as the courses are carried out, by Board’s research groups with proven scientific skills in synergy. The research and the teaching activities are performed within a dense network of national and international collaborations in academia and with companies and research institutions. 

The possible research activities, dealing with human health, range from basic research in the field of nanosciences, biology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and medicine to applied research in the industrial, food, environmental, medical diagnostic and therapeutic fields. PhD students will acquire project and implementation skills through activities on innovative research projects and will be guided in the organization and management of experimental scientific research. During the PhD courses a minimum period of six months of research activity abroad will be planned. The high specialized training will be aimed at developing critical sense, specific experimental skills and the ability to self-manage research in a multidisciplinary and international context. Significant support in terms of instrumentation and laboratories is provided by the Board’s University Departments and by the ATeN Center of the University of Palermo (a research and development infrastructure in Europe in the sector of Biotechnology applied to human health which offers facilities in different fields ranging from the synthesis of materials to in vivo tests / Ministerial Decree No. 1082 of 09.10.2021 - PNIR 2021 -2027). 

To promote internationalization and the quality of research, the program requires PhD students to spend a research and training period abroad for at least 6 months (possibly at different locations). The end-of-year seminar activities are conducted in English, and the thesis must be written in English. 

Moreover, the following programs are available (optional): 

• Dual Degree PhD Program: in collaboration with the “Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences”, University of Copenhagen, for eligible research projects with topics related to biophysics and pharmaceutical sciences. 

• Co-supervised PhD Program: in collaboration with the PhD Medical School of Universidad Abierta Interamericana (Buenos Aires, Rosario, Argentina) for eligible research projects with topics related to medical and biomedical sciences. 

Main Research topics

• Molecular Biophysics;  
• Medical Physics; 
• Theranostics; Materials and Nanotechnology for Human Health;  
• Biotechnologies applied to Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals;  
• Study of Oncogenesis Mechanisms;  
• In Vivo Models of Toxicology and Pathologies and their Use in Preclinical Assays of Active Molecules;  
• Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics;  
• Development and Validation of Systems and Technologies in the Prosthetic Field;  
• Study of Genomic Instability Mechanisms and their Impact on Human Health;  
• Development and Study of Tissue Engineering Devices for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Use. 

Administration

A 6 months’ research period abroad is required during the PhD program. In order to receive the expected 50% fellowship increase, the PhD board approval should be required in advance.

Missions and refunds: the rules of STEBICEF department have to be strictly followed ( https://www.unipa.it/dipartimenti/stebicef )

contact: missioni.stebicef@unipa.it

Rules and regulations 

Doctor Europaeus

University may grant the certification of "Doctor Europaeus," in addition to the title and the national value of its Doctoral Programme on a proposal of the Academic Board in respect to individual requests from one or more graduate students, provided the following four conditions:

(a) positive assessment of the thesis given by at least two professors from two European universities different from each other and from the university where the thesis is discussed;

(b) at least one member of the final examination commission must belong to a different university in a European country respect to that where the thesis is discussed and of those of the professors referred to in point (a);

(c) discussion of a part of the thesis in one of the official languages of the European Union different from that of the country where the thesis is discussed;

(d) performance of the research presented in the thesis during a stay of at least 3 months even not continuous in a European country different from the one where the candidate is registered.

Verified the compliance with all the requirements, the certification issue of Doctor Europaeus occurs simultaneously with that of Doctor of Research.

https://www.unipa.it/didattica/dottorati/dottorato-internazionale/doctor-europaeus/

(XXXIX cycle) Technologies and Science for Human Health (PhD course) - (ciclo XXXIX) Dottorato in Tecnologie e Scienze per la Salute dell'Uomo

This PhD program in Technologies and Sciences for Human Health is designed to provide students with the necessary skills for employment opportunities at research institutions, universities and specialized companies operating in the field of Nanoscience and Biotechnology for human health, of Theranostics and Translational Medicine. PhD students will be able to take advantage of the tools and skills available, as well as in the University Departments involved (STEBICEF, DIFC, PROMISE, DICHIRONS), also at the ATeN Center (a research and development infrastructure in Europe in the field of Biotechnologies applied to human health that offers the availability of a research chain that goes from the synthesis of materials to in vivo tests). The unifying theme of this course concerns the integration of skills and methodologies for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, tools and devices, as well as for the development of protocols, through the application of advanced biotechnologies and nanotechnologies, for the study of human pathologies and problems connected to human safety and health. The peculiarity of this frontier approach requires sharing competences in different scientific areas, complementary to each other (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Engineering). The Doctorate is characterized by a high degree of interdisciplinarity and by internationally recognized experience of the board and state-of-the-art equipment.

Main research topics are:

• Molecular Biophysics;
• Medical Physics;
• Bio Imaging;
• Theranostics and translational Medicine;
• Biosensors;
• Materials and Nanotechnologies for human health;
• Nanomedicine;
• Applied Biotechnologies to diagnostic and pharmaceutical;
• Omic applications for diagnosis and prognosis of pathologies;
• Stem Cells and their applications on regenerative medicine;
• Identification of oncogenesis mechanisms from cancer primary cell cultures;
• Production of vectors for both experimental and gene therapy use;
• Tissue engineering for diagnostic and therapeutic use;
• In vivo models of toxicology and diseases;
• Regenerative Surgery by 3D scaffold: experimental porcine model;
• Optimization and customization of pharmacological therapies;
• Preclinical assay of active molecules;
• Development and validation of systems and technologies in the prosthetic field;
• Origins and mechanisms of genomic instability and the impact on human health;
• Development and validations of biomedical engineering devices;
• Cellular and Tissue mechanobiology;
• Biomechanics of the physiopathology response of biological system

Administration

• A 6 months’ research period abroad is required during the PhD program. In order to receive the expected 50% fellowship increase, the PhD board approval should be required in advance.
• Missions and refunds: the rules of STEBICEF department have to be strictly followed ( https://www.unipa.it/dipartimenti/stebicef )
• contact: missioni.stebicef@unipa.it
• Rules and regulations

(XXXVIII cycle) Technologies and Science for Human Health (PhD course) - (ciclo XXXVIII) Dottorato in Tecnologie e Scienze per la Salute dell'Uomo

This PhD program in Technologies and Sciences for Human Health is designed to provide students with the necessary skills for employment opportunities at research institutions, universities and specialized companies operating in the field of Nanoscience and Biotechnology for human health, of Theranostics and Translational Medicine. PhD students will be able to take advantage of the tools and skills available, as well as in the University Departments involved (STEBICEF, DIFC, PROMISE, DICHIRONS), also at the ATeN Center (a research and development infrastructure in Europe in the field of Biotechnologies applied to human health that offers the availability of a research chain that goes from the synthesis of materials to in vivo tests). The unifying theme of this course concerns the integration of skills and methodologies for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, tools and devices, as well as for the development of protocols, through the application of advanced biotechnologies and nanotechnologies, for the study of human pathologies and problems connected to human safety and health. The peculiarity of this frontier approach requires sharing competences in different scientific areas, complementary to each other (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Engineering). The Doctorate is characterized by a high degree of interdisciplinarity and by internationally recognized experience of the board and state-of-the-art equipment.

Main research topics are:

• Molecular Biophysics;
• Medical Physics;
• Bio Imaging;
• Theranostics and translational Medicine;
• Biosensors;
• Materials and Nanotechnologies for human health;
• Nanomedicine;
• Applied Biotechnologies to diagnostic and pharmaceutical;
• Omic applications for diagnosis and prognosis of pathologies;
• Stem Cells and their applications on regenerative medicine;
• Identification of oncogenesis mechanisms from cancer primary cell cultures;
• Production of vectors for both experimental and gene therapy use;
• Tissue engineering for diagnostic and therapeutic use;
• In vivo models of toxicology and diseases;
• Regenerative Surgery by 3D scaffold: experimental porcine model;
• Optimization and customization of pharmacological therapies;
• Preclinical assay of active molecules;
• Development and validation of systems and technologies in the prosthetic field;
• Origins and mechanisms of genomic instability and the impact on human health;
• Development and validations of biomedical engineering devices;
• Cellular and Tissue mechanobiology;
• Biomechanics of the physiopathology response of biological system

Administration

• A 6 months’ research period abroad is required during the PhD program. In order to receive the expected 50% fellowship increase, the PhD board approval should be required in advance.
• Missions and refunds: the rules of STEBICEF department have to be strictly followed ( https://www.unipa.it/dipartimenti/stebicef )
• contact: missioni.stebicef@unipa.it
• Rules and regulations

The Doctoral Course in Technologies and Sciences for Human Health is designed to provide students with the necessary skills for employment opportunities in specialized companies, research bodies and universities operating in the field of Nanosciences and Biotechnologies for the Human Health, Teranostics and Translational Medicine. The course offers students a unique opportunity for growth in an academic environment characterized by the following specificities:

i) a multidisciplinary scientific approach (Applied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Medicine and Bioengineering), conducted by different research groups with proven scientific skills and a dense network of national and international collaborations;

ii) significant support in terms of instruments and laboratories at the STEBICEF, DIFC, PROMISE, DICHIROS departments and the ATeN Center of the University of Palermo;

iii) a network of companies and research bodies that believed in the project by making available, already in the XXXIII Cycle, external funds for Doctoral Scholarships and led to obtain industrial-type scholarships financed by MIUR;

iv) a well-established teaching and training experience of the teachers of the College.

PhD students will also carry out their activity abroad for a period of at least 6 months.