Siric > Training > Cancer Biology International Master program

Cancer Biology International Master program

Overview

Our understanding of cancer has improved dramatically over the past decades with the discovery of the major principles that govern the emergence and the diversity of neoplastic diseases. These advances have led to the first successful cancer therapies based on the knowledge of specific molecular targets. Yet, cancer remains the leading cause of death in developed countries. The conception and future implementation of novel, more effective therapies requires further improvements in understanding cancer biology, for which a highly multidisciplinary approach is essential.

This Masters program ((lien https://masterbs.edu.umontpellier.fr/les-parcours/cancer-biology/))proposes training for research, and by doing research, in cancer, a field in which Montpellier laboratories are internationally recognized. It is conceived for students from various curricula (science, medicine, engineering). The training is supported by the Montpellier Comprehensive Cancer Center (SIRIC Montpellier Cancer), which includes about a hundred research teams located at various Montpellier research institutes, and which provide teaching and host Cancer Biology students for internships and PhDs. It also includes a cancer treatment center (ICM, Institut du Cancer de Montpellier) and the Montpellier University Hospital.

 

In the first year, students follow a specific teaching unit (Cellular Physiopathology and Cancer) and choose from several courses shared with other programs, thus enabling a student to define their personal Master’s degree specialization.  Theoretical courses are followed by a 2 to 6 month research internship and developing a bibliography for your research. Almost all courses are given by bilingual teachers who can do so in English if required.

In the second year, students are given a large degree of freedom in choosing from 5 courses within the core curriculum and 3 thematic courses in the field of Cancer. The year is completed with a full-time 6-month research internship, thesis report and oral defense. Additionally, students are expected to design a theoretical research project, and defend it in an oral presentation at the end of the year. International students integrating into the program in the second year may benefit from the Montpellier Comprehensive Cancer Center (Montpellier SIRIC) fellowships based on their academic excellence. The second year is given entirely in English.

 

Semesters 2 and 4 internships can be undertaken in one of the hosting teams participating in the Montpellier SIRIC, but students are encouraged to apply to labs abroad at one of several partner universities (Coimbra Life Sciences Group (CLSG) Cancer Biology, IRIC) for at least one of their placements.

 

Objectives and careers

The program will provide students with the unique opportunity to explore the biological abnormalities underlying cancer development, sensitivity and resistance to treatments, and the scientific rationale for development of innovative anticancer therapies or combinations in a very competitive and integrated scientific and medical environment. Through their participation in high-level theoretical courses and seminars and their involvement in experimental work in top-level laboratories, students will acquire state-of-the-art knowledge and the skills to carry out original research anywhere in the world in the ever-growing field of cancer biology.

 

Aquired skills

The two-year Master’s degree in Cancer Biology provides an integrated view of cancer pathology, from principles of cancer to current developments in cancer therapy. The program is based on fundamental knowledge in genetics, cell and molecular biology, then opens up to the integrated aspects of pathophysiology and finally addresses current practices and hot topics in anti-cancer therapy.

 

Starting your career

The Master’s degree itself is a diploma attesting to training of a level required to undertake a PhD and embark on a research career in the fundamental or applied sciences in the public or biotechnology sectors, or to integrate vocational occupations or teaching careers at all levels.

 

Application

To submit an application for the Cancer Biology Program Year 2 (M2), French or European candidates are invited to log onto the e-candidat application of the University of Montpellier  (http://sciences.edu.umontpellier.fr/candidatures-inscriptions/candidatures-2/)

Students from outside Europe must apply through Campus France (http://www.campusfrance.org). In addition they are requested to send their application as soon as possible to (Siric.Montpellier@icm.unicancer.fr ) in order for their application to be examined in respect to the equivalence of foreign diploma requirements of Montpellier University.

No paper documents are required when submitting the application. Obligatory prerequisites to join the program include Semesters 1 and 2 accredited with Master M1 in Biology or equivalent (M2 Application).

For more information or questions contact Dr Daniel Fisher (daniel.fisher@igmm.cnrs.fr), Dr William Jacot (william.jacot@icm.unicancer.fr) or Dr Marie-Alix Poul-Pearson (marie-alix.poul-pearson@univ-montp2.fr )

 

Program content and organisation details

Semester 3 : 30 ECTS

- Choice of 2 course units (CU) from the general program offered to all students of the Masters Biology and Health Sciences (5 ECTS each).

Recommended (given in English):

  • Genetics and epigenetics (M Koenig, A. Lengronne)
  • Cell signaling (A Debant, K. Becamel)

Possible (given in French with slides in English):

  • Bioinformatique et biologie des systèmes (O Radulescu, S Trapani et A Chavanieu)
  • Physiologie intégrée (S Matecki, F Perrin)
  • Biophysique moléculaire et cellulaire (A Echallier-Glazer, A. Parmeggiani)

3 specific CU from the Cancer Biology Program (5 ECTS each)

  •  Principles of Cancer Biology (P. Pasero, D. Fisher)
Aims of the course: Cancer is a disease that exploits basic principles governing the functions of cells and organisms. Understanding cancer biology requires a highly multidisciplinary approach and is a prerequisite for the conception and future implementation of novel therapies.The course “Principles of cancer biology” is an integral part of the “CDC-Cancer Biology Program” within the Master BioMed of Montpellier University. It discusses the major concepts of current understanding of tumor initiation, progression and escape from treatment. It is complementary to both the “Cell fate and plasticity” and to “Cancer therapy” modules.
Courses are given by acknowledged experts in different fields, students are encouraged to interact with speakers, many of whom welcome Cancer Biology students in their laboratories for internships.
  • Cancer therapy (W Jacot, M-A Poul)
Aims
 of
 the
 course: Increased 
understanding 
of 
cancer 
biology
 has 
allowed
 the
 first 
successful 
cancer
 targeted
 therapies 
based 
on 
the 
knowledge 
of 
specific 
molecular 
targets.
The
 identification 
of 
specific 
cancer 
subgroups,
 associated 
with 
known 
targets
 or
 drug
 susceptibility
 profiles 
allows 
a 
more 
efficient
 selection 
of 
anticancer
 treatment.
 At
 the
 same 
time,
 a 
better 
understanding 
of 
the 
pharmacokinetic,
pharmacodynamic
 and
pharmacogenomic aspects 
of
 cancer 
cells’ 
drug
 resistance 
and
 excessive 
drug 
toxicities 
should
 lead
 to an improved
 efficacy
/
toxicity 
ratio
 in 
cancer 
treatment.
The
 course 
”Principles 
of 
cancer 
biology”
 is 
an 
integral
 part 
of 
the
 “CDC -Cancer 
Biology 
Program” 
with in
 the 
Master 
BioMed 
of
 Montpellier 
University.

 The 
goal 
of 
this 
course 
is 
to 
provide 
a 
broad 
understanding 
of 
the
various
 aspects
 of
 cancer
 cells
 sensitivity
/
resistance 
to
 cancer
 treatments,
 from
 the 
molecular 
targets 
of
 anti‐cancer 
agents, 
targeting 
the
 cancer 
cells
 themselves 
or 
cancer
 microenvironment,to 
the 
individual 
modulation
of
 cancer 
drugs 
response 
and 
toxicities. 
The 
course 
will 
review
 chemotherapy, 
targeted 
therapies, 
immunotherapy 
and
 radiotherapy
 approaches 
in 
cancer.
It 
represents 
an 
ideal
 complement 
to
 the
 more fundamental  
courses 
on 
“Cell
 Fate 
and 
Plasticity” 
and 
“Cancer 
Biology”. 
Together, the 
Master
2 
Program
 in
 Cancer 
Biology 
will 
provide 
students 
with
 a 
unique 
opportunity 
to 
explore 
the
 scientific 
rationale 
for 
anticancer therapies 
in 
a
 very
 competitive
 scientific 
and 
medical 
environment. 
The students will 
acquire 
the 
necessary knowledge
 to 
enable
 them
 to
 carry 
out 
original
 research 
in 
the 
ever 
growing
 field
 of 
cancer 
biology.
In
 addition,
 during
 the
 Pre‐clinical 
models 
practical 
sessions,
experienced 
experts 
of 
the 
field
 will 
illustrate 
how human
 cancer 
can
 be
 modeled
 in
 the 
mouse, 
showing 
the 
latest 
technological 
developments 
based
 on 
genetically engineered 
mouse 
models 
as
 well 
as 
humanized
 primary 
xenograft 
models.
Teaching 
will 
include
 theoretical description 
of the 
models
 and 
associated
 technologies,
 followed
 by
 practical
 training
 sessions
 that 
will 
illustrate the use 
of non-invasive
 small 
animal 
imaging 
techniques 
as 
well 
as 
histological 
analyse.
  • Cell fate and plasticity (P. Mangeat,  P. Fort)
Aims of the course:Multicellularity represents a major evolutionary transition during which new gene functions have been selected to allow for the development, maintenance and reproduction of a complex adult organism from a single fertilized cell.Cell–cell and cell-substrate adhesive structuresplay key roles in these processes, both as dynamic mechanical linkages that enable formation and homeostasis of tissues and organs and as signaling hubs that coordinate cell proliferation, motility, differentiation or apoptosis.
In this context, cancer can be viewed as an accumulation of genetic, epigenetic and metabolic incidents, whose combined effects directly or indirectly affect the normal repertoire and functioning of adhesive structures, leading to local invasion and eventually to long-distance metastasis.
The course “Cell fate and plasticity” is part of the “CDC-Cancer Biology Program” within the Master BioMed of Montpellier University.
The objectives are:
i. Provide the basic knowledge on the major signaling pathways and their pleiotropic impacts on cell adhesion and other properties,
ii. Introduce cell adhesion in terms of mechanisms and dynamics in development and cancer,
iii. Present how cells use RNA synthesis and splicing programs to rapidly adapt to new environmental conditions,
iv. Describe protein structures and molecular scaffolds by which cell signaling coordinates proliferation and morphology.
This should give students a general knowledge of the signaling pathways that pertain to multicellularity, and the conceptual tools for a better understanding of the notions proposed by the other two modules, “Cancer Biology” and “Cancer therapy”.

- 1 CU of supervised research work (Master’s Research Thesis) (5 ECTS). The list for Master’s Research Thesis CU will only be available when choosing internships (students are encouraged to join research teams affiliated to the Montpellier Comprehensive Cancer Center, SIRIC. Evaluation is based on the internship project written and presented by the student.

 

Semester 4 : 30 ECTS

Laboratory research internship (20 ECTS)

Conception of a fully original research project on any subject/question, chosen by the student (10 ECTS).

 

 

Practical Information on Assessments

 

Written examinations :

Two hour written exams for each CU of semester 3 (with possibility to answer in English or in French), which will be anonymously graded. The questions, which are related to course content, will test the students’ capacities for scientific reasoning.

Reports and oral presentations:

Both can be in English or French.

Master’s Research Thesis : The report must be submitted to the committee for the second week of January. The oral presentation is scheduled for the end of January

The fictituous project report and the internship report must both be submitted by mid-May. The oral presentations are scheduled for the end of May.

For each presentation, students should prepare slides and will have 10 to 12 minutes to present their work, followed by 10 minutes of questions.

 

Further information is available at: https://masterbs.edu.umontpellier.fr/les-parcours/cancer-biology/