The reference topics of the PhD course in Microbiota and Health are focused on the study of the microbiota and its interactions with humans, animals and the environment through a multidisciplinary and multi-omics approach, with particular attention to possible translational applications in the field clinical, pharmacological, food and environmental.
The doctoral course in Microbiota and Health is characterized by the marked multidisciplinary, interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity of the different disciplines involved, while qualifying itself with a specific unifying theme capable of providing doctoral students with an in-depth vision of the characteristics and functions of the microbiota, through application of a wide variety of innovative scientific methodologies and approaches to your research project. In fact, the doctoral course lays its foundations on a unique cultural project: a dynamic and synergistic relationship between the different multidisciplinary skills of the teachers who are members of its College which is aimed at the study of all those scientific topics of a microbiological, virological nature, physiological, nutritional, pharmacological and medical processes which underlie the physiological and pathological processes of living organisms. Furthermore, the doctoral course in Microbiota and Health is characterized by the strong international connotation that it aims to achieve, by welcoming young researchers from abroad. This is also thanks to the numerous and consolidated scientific collaborations that the various members of the College have with various research groups at an international level, which will allow a profitable and continuous exchange not only of scientific knowledge, but also of doctoral students.
The multicultural approach of the doctoral course is also reflected in the use of both omics methodologies as well as in specific experimental approaches that characterize the different disciplines (microbiology, virology, bioinformatics, neurobiology, physiology, biostatistics, pharmaceutical chemistry, cellular pathology, veterinary science, odontostomatology and clinical medical disciplines) involved which also involve the use of animal models, aimed at the doctoral student's acquisition of different perspectives within the training path, which can be varied in various ways on an individual basis. Another qualifying element of the course is related to the possibility of taking part in research projects, aimed at identifying the correlations of the composition and function of the microbiota in humans and animals with different pathologies and/or metabolic disorders and/or conditions of interest doctor/veterinarian in all age groups, from infancy to senescence, and of the microbiota with drugs in order to identify potential innovative therapeutic strategies from a "precision" medicine perspective, also through the correction of diet and lifestyle.
The acquisition of the various transversal skills described above allows the training of high-profile researchers, capable of developing alternative and personalized solutions for the promotion of individual health and well-being.
Doctoral students in Microbiota and Health will be personally involved in the development of research projects focused on the study of the microbiota and its relationship with human and animal health, with particular reference to specific applications inherent to one of the aforementioned disciplines, but which will in any case be carried out also making use of the multidisciplinary characteristics of the Doctorate Teaching Board, strengthened by the numerous scientific collaborations already operational and extended to international and extra-academic networks involved in the Doctorate activity. The Teaching Board of the doctorate in Microbiota and Health sees the participation of experts from the world of academia and industry who carry out scientific research and/or work on issues relating to the microbiota and its translational applications.
Objectives of the doctoral course
The main objective of the PhD in "Microbiota and Health" is to train PhDs who are experts in the study of the microbiota in physiological and pathological conditions and of possible translational applications, which constitute a useful premise for carrying out innovative and advanced in various fields of clinical medicine and basic and applied biology.
Specifically, PhD students will develop a full-time research project, also providing personal proactive contributions, thus achieving progressive scientific and managerial autonomy, through the constant relationship with their Tutor and with the College, also in relation to the conscious use of resources. specifically intended for one's own training; in relation to this last aspect, the possibility of spending a training period abroad should also be considered.
The teaching activity will be defined by the Teaching Body for each doctoral cycle and will be divided into disciplinary and interdisciplinary training activities on topics strictly related to the doctorate, as well as activities for the improvement/deepening of knowledge in the linguistic, IT properties and statistical fields, in the field of research management and knowledge of European and international research systems/models, valorization of research results and intellectual property.
The educational offer will consist of: i) disciplinary training activities; ii) interdisciplinary training activity; iii) scientific "training" activity (participation in conferences, workshops, internships, seminars, summer schools, etc. organized by the doctorate itself and/or attended in other Italian and foreign locations; study stays abroad; seminars for learning how to participate in funding calls for research projects and scientific publications; iv) teaching support activities (supplementary teaching activities, laboratory exercises).
The teaching activity provided during the three years of the doctorate will consist of courses held by professors of the College, by professors at affiliated universities and professors belonging to research structures with which there are scientific collaboration relationships. The total number of credits to be achieved in the three-year period will be equal to 180 ECTS. Of these, 120 ECTS will correspond to the commitment dedicated to the research project and aimed at drafting the doctoral thesis. During the three-year period, at least 20 ECTS will be obtained through participation in disciplinary and interdisciplinary training activities.
