Technical Innovations: Applications to Immuno-Oncology

Focus on scientific and technological platforms, at the center of the advance in tumor immunology and immunotherapy research

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CIVIS focus area
Health
Open to
  • Master's
  • PhD candidates/ students
Field of studies
  • Medicine and Health
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Type
  • Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP)
Course dates
1 March 2023 - 1 June 2023

The course centers on scientific and technological labs, at the center of the advance in tumor immunology and immunotherapy research. With the recent successes of checkpoint inhibitors, or CAR-T cell therapies, clinical immunology-oncology is a rapidly evolving field that requires academic preparation of future scientists and healthcare professionals. The extensive development of clinical immunology-oncology is accompanied by pre-clinical and translational research that allows a better understanding of the pathophysiology of cancers regarding the immune contingent of the tumor microenvironment, and its evolution under treatment. On one hand, clinical needs are well identified in terms of identification of resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy, development of predictive biomarkers of response to these treatments, screening of new therapeutic targets, or combinations with targeted therapies, radiotherapy, or conventional chemotherapy. On the other hand, major technological breakthroughs have made it possible in recent years to explore anti-tumor immune responses with an unprecedented level of precision. This programme aims to educate the next generation of scientists and medical doctors to these major technological advances.

Main topics addressed

  • Cytometry (mass, flow and spectral)
  • Organoids
  • Genomics (CRISPR, RNAseq, scRNAseq and TCRseq)
  • Proteomics
  • Microscopy-Imaging

Learning outcomes

We expect students that will enter the programme to benefit from:

  • Advanced knowledge in state-of-the arts technologies for explorations of immunome,
  • Overview of applications of these technologies to basic, translational and preclinical research in immuno-oncology,
  • Initiation to interdisciplinary approaches in translational cancer research,
  • Incentive to initiate international mobility early in their university curriculum.
Dates: 1 March 2023 - 1 June 2023 Total workload: 163 hours
Format: Blended ECTS: 6*
Location: Marseille, France Language: English (B2) 
Contact: paula.michea-veloso@inserm.fr, marie-dominique.franco@univ-amu.fr  

*Recognition of ECTS depends on your home university.

Physical mobility 

22/05/2023 to 26/05/2023

The physical component will allow students to practically experience what was learned in the virtual component in one of the 20 labs participating.

Virtual part

01/03/2023 to 01/06/2023

The virtual component of the blended mobility contains 5 modules comprising a total of 32 lectures (webinars from Keynote speakers and trainers on Moodle). In each of the 5 modules: 1) Cytometry (mass, flow and spectral), 2) Organoids, 3) Genomics (CRISPR, RNAseq, scRNAseq and TCRseq), 4) Proteomics and 5) Microscopy-Imaging, students will receive the technical theoretical bases enabling them to understand the functioning of these innovative technologies, as well as the applications to the exploration of anti-tumor immunity in aspects ranging from the fundamental research to the clinical approaches. The critical step of data analysis using machine learning algorithms will also be addressed in the different theme.

Requirements

This course is open to Master's and PhD students at CIVIS member universities.

Applicants should have some experience in immunology, oncology, cellular and molecular biology and/or biophysics. In addition, applicants should demonstrate a sufficient level of the English language to communicate (oral and written) with their peers, speakers, professors, researchers and administrators.

Application process

Send your application by filling in the online application form by 30 November 2022 with the following documents:

  • Motivation letter
  • CV
  • Grades
  • Letter of reference 
Apply for this course

Assessment

  • Comprehensive exam of multiple-choice questions.
  • Lab experience report.

Blended Intensive Programme

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe. Click here to learn more about CIVIS BIPs.

GDPR Consent

The CIVIS alliance and its member universities will treat the information you provide with respect. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information on our privacy practices. By applying to this course you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

A panel of 31 professors and researchers will deliver the 31 hours of lectures, some of them will give keynote lectures. A panel of 20 professors and researchers will supervise the lab work. 

Documents