The International MemBioMed Master's (from Membrane Biology to Neuroscience and Experimental Medicine)

WHAT ARE BIOMEMBRANES?

Besides providing semipermeable barriers, cellular membranes are nature’s most sophisticated biomolecular systems that serve vital roles in biogenic processes, energy conversion, information processing and transport. Consequently, membranes influence nearly every aspect of organismal physiology, making the modulation of membrane-bound molecules a powerful strategy for therapeutic intervention. In fact, drugs that target membrane proteins account for approximately 60% of the international market share of therapeutics.

WHY ARE BIOMEMBRANES CHALLENGING?

They form collective assemblies of proteins and lipids that are functional over a wide range of time scales and undergo dynamic changes in composition, physical properties and shape in response to a variety of internal or external cues. The lipids can serve simultaneously as solvents, substrates, and regulatory co-factors for membrane protein activity, and these roles are often entangled and overlapping. Classical approaches of molecular cell biology fall short in addressing the intricate relationships among cellular lipidomes, the physicochemical properties of cellular membranes, and the regulation of membrane proteins by either or both. In the field of nanomedicine, drug delivery systems based on biomembrane-derived nanostructures attract increasing interest for their biomimetic properties and potential for clinical translation.

THE FUTURE OF BIOMEMBRANES?

As biomembrane research will occupy a central position in biomedical science for many decades to come, it is of utmost importance to train young scientists in this specific field. A detailed understanding of the pathways and mechanisms that govern the assembly and proper functioning of cellular membranes requires input from multiple disciplines, notably cell biology, structural biology, pharmacology, (neuro)physiology, (bio)physics, (bio)chemistry, and (bio)informatics.

OVERALL PROGRAMME

MemBioMed’s two-year Master’s programme is designed to provide a top quality and highly integrated qualification with unique multi-discplinary research-oriented training in membrane biology. The academic programme is based on three existing, successful national master programmes in UniCa (France), UniGe (Italy) and UOS (Germany). Each partner's master degree is fully recognized and accredited by national accreditation agencies, according to national procedures. The EMJM has been designed to ensure academic continuity and complementarity with first cycle programmes and to ensure access to PhD opportunities as well as job opportunities in the private sector, throughout the consortium, within the EHEA and worldwide.

The curriculum is based on teaching modules already certified in the partner's local master´s programmes, namely:

• Master in Life Sciences (Université Côte d’Azur, UniCA)
• Master of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology (University of Genova, UniGe)
• Master of Biology – From Molecules to Organisms (Osnabrück University, UOS)

Building on our synergistic strengths, we have defined a common core of knowledge on the main aspects of membrane biology by refining the content of the programme to reflect current trends and advances in industry. The programme is providing stimulating research opportunities with collaborative projects and partnerships with companies, offering workshops and thematic schools focusing on topical issues and emerging technologies, and engaging in effective communication and networking.