The PhD Program in BIOSCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGIES is organized in five curricula focusing on interdisciplinary research. Each curriculum represents areas of research excellence in Biomolecular Sciences and Bioinformatics, Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology, Biochemical Sciences and Cell Biology, Genetics, Microbiology and Molecular Evolution and in Morphofunctional Biology.
The PhD program is focused on the most important topics of modern biology, from basic to applied research and reflects the research topics developed and at the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, the administrative place of this PhD course. Interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged as well as the interaction among PhD students. The PhD programme in BIOSCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGIES lasts for 3 years. About 10-12 students are admitted every year and have access to first-class facilities.
PhD PROGRAMME IN BIOSCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGIES:
CUN Scientific Areas: CUN: 05- Biological Science, 06- Medical Sciences, 07-Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, 03- Chemical Sciences
Scientific Subject Codes: _ AGR/17, BIO/04, BIO/05, BIO/06, BIO/07, BIO/09, BIO/10, BIO/11, BIO/12, BIO/13, BIO/16, BIO/17, BIO/18, BIO/19, CHIM/11, MED/04, VET/10
Coordinator: Prof. Giovanna Valenti
Administrative office: Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment
PEC: direzione.bioscienze@pec.uniba.it
Duration: 3 years
Curricula:
- Biomolecular Sciences and Bioinformatics (Scientific disciplinary sectors: BIO/10 and BIO/11)
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology (Scientific disciplinary sectors: BIO/09, BIO/17, VET/10, AGR/17, MED/04)
- Biochemical Sciences and Cell Biology (Scientific disciplinary sectors: BIO/10, BIO/12, BIO/13, BIO/14, BIO/16, CHIM/11)
- Genetics, Microbiology and Molecular Evolution (Scientific disciplinary sectors: BIO/18, BIO/19)
- Morphofunctional Biology (Scientific disciplinary sectors: BIO/04, BIO/05, BIO/06, BIO/07)
Total number of positions with fellowships n. 6:
Project: Gene Therapy and RNA Drug technology, ID code CN00000041, CUP H93C22000430007
Call for proposal: PNRR Initiative, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.4 “Strengthening research structures and creation of R&D” national champions “on some Key enabling technologies” DD MUR N. 3138 of 16/12/2021 funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, topic CN3 “Development of gene therapy and RNA drug technology”
Title Scholarship: RNA/DNA-based therapies for diseases associated with mutations in nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins. (Curriculum 3)
Research activity description: The project aims at the generation of cellular models of human diseases associated with mutations of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial transporters (SLC25A family) as biological platforms to define the cellular pathogenic mechanisms and to perform genome editing studies for gene mutation replacement in vitro and in vivo.
Months abroad: 3
Project: Gene Therapy and RNA Drug technology, ID code CN00000041, CUP H93C22000430007
Call for proposal: PNRR Initiative, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.4 “Strengthening research structures and creation of R&D” national champions “on some Key enabling technologies” DD MUR N. 3138 of 16/12/2021 funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, topic CN3 “Development of gene therapy and RNA drug technology”.
Title Scholarship: In vitro production of genetically engineered gametes and embryos of animal models for mitochondrial pathologies of nuclear origin (curriculum 2)
Research activity description: Mitochondrial disorders can be determined by pathogenic variants of nuclear DNA encoding genes, relevant for mitochondrial functions. Genetically engineered (GE) animal models of human diseases could contribute to biomedical research progress. The aim of this project is to produce GE oocytes and embryos of animal models for mitochondrial diseases caused by mutations at nuclear DNA level. Mutations will be induced by injecting CRISPR/Cas9 components into oocytes fertilized in vitro to generate heterozygous embryos.
Alternatively, homozygous embryos will be obtained by gene-editing of zygotes or cell lines to use for Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT). Control and GE embryos will be validated and used to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Months abroad: 6
Project: Gene Therapy and RNA Drug technology, ID code CN00000041, CUP H93C22000430007
Call for proposal: PNRR Initiative, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.4 “Strengthening research structures and creation of R&D” national champions “on some Key enabling technologies” DD MUR N. 3138 of 16/12/2021 funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, topic CN3 “Development of gene therapy and RNA drug technology”.
Title Scholarship: Analysis of the functional role of circular RNAs in tumorigenesis and malignant progression in human organotypic 3D cultures (curriculum 2)
Research activity description: CircRNAs are stable RNAs involved in several human cancers, as they affect the expression of genes regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Artificial exogenous circRNAs can be also used as oncogenic miRNA sponges with therapeutic potential. However, both circRNA function in malignant progression and their eventual transfer through a new form of cell-cell communication, the tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), are poorly explored. To better understand these aspects, we will (i) use (fluorescent) siRNAs/shRNAs to knockdown tumorigenic circRNAs and (ii) artificial circRNAs sponging oncogenic miRNAs to analyze both their dynamics in the TNTs and their role in tumor growth, invadopodia-driven invasion and vasculogenic ability in 3D organotypic cultures representative of the tumor microenvironment.
Months abroad: 3
Project: Gene Therapy and RNA Drug technology, ID code CN00000041, CUP H93C22000430007
Call for proposal: PNRR Initiative, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.4 “Strengthening research structures and creation of R&D” national champions “on some Key enabling technologies” DD MUR N. 3138 of 16/12/2021 funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, topic CN3 “Development of gene therapy and RNA drug technology”.
Title Scholarship: Development of novel gene therapy approaches based on programmable RNA editing(curriculum 1)
Research activity description: RNA editing is one of the most relevant epitranscriptome mechanisms by which cellular RNAs are modified in specific localizations in a not-transient fashion. In human, RNA editing involves the deamination of cytosine in uridine by APOBEC enzymes and, most frequently, the conversion of adenosine in inosine by the ADAR family of enzymes. A-to-I editing in non-coding regions is important in modulating the innate immune response, while modifications in protein coding genes has several functional and physiological implications.The aim of this PhD project is to develop RNA editing deaminase-based constructs to correct pathological mutations at RNA level in human cells, mainly in quiescent cells, in which the CRISPR-Cas technology cannot be applied.
Months abroad: 6
Project: Gene Therapy and RNA Drug technology, ID code CN00000041, CUP H93C22000430007
Call for proposal: PNRR Initiative, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.4 “Strengthening research structures and creation of R&D” national champions “on some Key enabling technologies” DD MUR N. 3138 of 16/12/2021 funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, topic CN3 “Development of gene therapy and RNA drug technology”.
Title Scholarship: Development of new bioinformatics methodologies to support gene therapy approaches and the design of RNA based drugs (curriculum 1)
Research activity description: In the era of omics sciences and precision medicine, novel computational tools are needed to formulate hypotheses whose predictions can be tested to advance our knowledge and drive the design of new RNA-based therapeutic products. The aim of this PhD project is to develop and employ consolidated and novel algorithms and software for handling short and long-read sequencing data to comprehensively investigate post-transcriptional mechanisms such as alternative splicing and RNA editing, aimed at identifying neoantigens and disease targets for the design of innovative RNA-based drugs.
Months abroad: 6
Project: A multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease, acronym PE MNESYS, ID code PE0000006, CUP H93C22000660006:
Call for proposal: PNRR Initiative, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.3 – Partnerships extended to universities, research centers, companies and research project funding DD MUR N. 341 of 15/03/2022 funded by the European Union – NextGeneration EU, theme PE12 ” Neuroscience and neuropharmacology “.
Title Scholarship: Genetics and pharmacogenetics of psychiatric diseases: the substances use disorders and their comorbidities (curriculum 4)
Research activity description: Substance use disorders are complex multifactorial disorders triggering a series of adverse effects on affected individuals, society and the healthcare system. Multiple investigations have now clarified that virtually all substance use disorders have a genetic component and are often correlated with the occurrence of psychiatric disorders, such use the association between cannabis use and schizophrenia liability. Furthermore, innovative studies have stressed that many of these disorders may have been, at least in part, the result of maladaptation caused by evolutionary trade-offs. Here, starting from genetics data and biological samples, we will characterise the genetics profile of substance addiction, evaluating the comorbidity with psychiatric phenotypes and developing predictive tools for susceptibility, severity and pharmacogenomics traits that will be further improved by evolutionary history knowledge.
Months abroad: up to 6
Admission procedures:
The selection will be made following the art. 6 typology B of the call.
The examination will be based on the evaluation of candidate qualification, proposed project, oral interview, and foreign language knowledge checking (English).
Admission tests for foreigners:
The videoconference interview of foreign candidates will be in English.
Admission exam dates and time:
Qualification : 28 December 2022
Proposed project: 29 December 2022
Oral interview: 3 January 2023, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment -Seminar Room, IV Floor. 9.00 a.m.
In case the interview is in remote mode, it will be done following the art. 6 of the call.
Art. 2 – ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates holding one of the following qualifications are eligible regardless of their citizenship and age:
-degree awarded under the system “vecchio ordinamento” in place prior to the one introduced by MinisterialDecree(D.M.) no. 509 of 03 November 1999, amended by Ministerial Decree (D.M.) no. 270 of 22 October 2004;”laurea specialistica” or “laurea magistrale” (second cycle degree);
second-level academic qualification (“titoli accademici di secondo livello”) awarded by Institutions belonging tothe AFAM (“Alta Formazione Artistica e Musicale”) sector;
-master’s degree awarded abroad, recognised as such solely for the purpose of admission to the competition.
A)Admission to the selection for the candidates with an academic degree conferred abroad
Those in possession of a degree from a foreign university which has not yet been declared equivalent to an Italiandegree will have to apply for their equivalence solely for the purposes of admission to the Ph.D. programme forwhich they intend to apply.
In such case, in order to allow for assessment of the qualification, application for participation must be accompanied,by the following documentation:
•(In the case of Italian and EU citizens) Self-certification, according to D.P.R. 445/2000 and subsequentmodifications, of the academic qualification obtained with details of examinations, the relative results and thelegal duration of the programme.
•(Non-EU citizens) A certificate attesting to the academic qualification obtained with details of examinations, therelative results and the legal duration of the programme together with a translation into Italian and/or english.The translation must be signed under the applicant’s own responsibility in order to allow the qualification to berecognized.
The suitability of qualifications obtained abroad will be evaluated by the Judging Commission in accordance with the regulations in force in Italy and in the country where the qualification was obtained and relative treaties and international agreements on the recognition of qualifications for the continuation of studies.
In case of admission to the Ph.D. programme, applicants must submit, within 60 days from the date of registration, the following documentation:
•Curricular qualifications translated into Italian and legalized by the relevant Italian diplomatic or consularrepresentations abroad;
•“Certificate of equivalence of qualification” of the foreign qualification issued by the relevant diplomatic orconsular representations abroad. Alternatively, the Certificate of comparability of the foreign universityqualification issued by the ENIC-NARIC centre in Italy (CIMEA) may be presented, containing all theinformation necessary for the assessment of the qualification.
For the purposes of entry into Italy, citizens of non-EU countries resident abroad must register on the Universitaly portal and apply for an entry visa (post-graduate visa type D) to the Italian Embassy or Consulate competent for the territory.
In case of doubts about the qualification validity, the University also reserve the right to request the “Certificate of equivalence of qualification” to those who have obtained a qualification in a European Union country.
B)Admission to the selection for candidates who have not yet received the degree
Candidates who are going to obtain the qualification necessary for entry to the Ph.D. programme may also apply ifthey are to obtain their qualification by and no later than January, 31 2023. Failure to gain the relevant qualificationsby this date will result in exclusion from the call.
These candidates will be admitted sub condicione and no later than January 31, 2023 must send by PECuniversitabari@pec.it the self-certification (or certification in the case of qualifications obtained abroad) with dateand handwritten signature, accompanied by a copy of a valid photo identification document indicating:
-the name of the university issuing the qualification;
-date of completion of the qualification;
-type of qualification (specialist/master/old cycle degree, second level academic degree issued byinstitutions belonging to AFAM);
-final result.
Candidates who, for whatever reason, do not communicate the obtainment of the relevant qualification by the deadlines indicated or who send incomplete, incorrect applications, by different means or to different addresses other than those indicated above will be excluded from the call.
Those who have already benefited, even partially, from a scholarship for attending a doctoral course will also be excluded from participation.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
The scholarships available in accordance with the profiles attached to this call, as well as those potentially added in accordance with Article 1, will be awarded with the Rector Decree in order of the merit ranking lists of each PhD course.
The annual scholarship is of € 16.243,00 subject to INPS social security contributions. The duration of the scholarship is equal to the entire duration of the programme.
The scholarship will be paid in deferred monthly instalments and the maximum total annual gross income limit necessary in order to qualify for a scholarship is set at € 16.000,00 (sixteenthousand/00).
The determination of this income limit includes income from property and assets as well as income of any other nature.
Exceeding the income limit will lead to the loss of the right to the scholarship for the year in which the excess occurs and obliges the repayment of any monthly payments already received.
The scholarship cannot be combined with other scholarships or grants, except for those intended to supplement research during stays abroad.
The scholarship cannot be awarded in the case of a suspension of more than thirty days, or exclusion from the programme.
During the programme the doctoral candidate may, for research needs, be authorized by the Coordinator for periods of up to six months, or by the Academic Board (Collegio dei Docenti), for periods of more than six months, to complete a period of study in Italy and/or abroad or to carry out an internship with either public or private bodies.
The amount of the scholarship is increased by 50% in the case of periods spent abroad.
Those entitled to a scholarship must, at the time of application, submit a declaration of expected gross personal income as well as declaring the absence of any eventual incompatibilities as outlined in the present article. Scholarship beneficiaries will be required to set up an INPS contribution profile, enrolling in the “Gestione separata” scheme of that Institute.
Scholarships shall be subject to tax relief provisions in accordance with Art. 4 of Law 13.08.1984 No. 476.
In any case the special provisions in each specific financing agreement for the scholarship, remain valid.
It is understood that, if a scholarship is declared ineligible for funding following verification by the competent ministerial office, the candidate registered in the post corresponding to that scholarship will be declared forfeited.
Art. 3 – APPLICATION AND ENTRY TO THE CALL:
The application for participation in the selection must be submitted using only the appropriate procedure made available to ( log in here Apply now or Register on pica and apply online here APPLY NOW) no later than 19 December 2022 at 12.00 (Italian time CET), under penalty of exclusion from the selection.
Access to the procedure takes place on the PICA portal (Integrated University Competition Platform) which can be accessed upon registration or with SPID credentials, as indicated in the Guidelines. Applications received in a different way will be considered unvalid.
The registration fee for the competition is € 50.00; for foreign applicants residing abroad, no payments due. The
entry fee is non-refundable for any reason.
The candidate must pay the fee by clicking on the “Paga con Pago PA” button and choosing as the payment method:
•Credit/debit card: for card payment
•Current account: for direct debiting your account
•Other payment methods: such as PayPal or Satispay
Candidates wishing to participate in more than one call must submit multiple applications each showing the relevantqualifications and necessary attachments along with payment for each individual application made.