Master's Programme in Molecular Medicine

Programme

Year 1

During the first year, you will focus on molecular mechanisms and cellular processes causing cancer and other genetic diseases as well as methods and technologies for assessing genetic and epigenetic variations, current clinical diagnostics and novel approaches to treatment. You will study in-depth research-oriented problems in molecular medicine and be trained in experimental design and laboratory work. During the programme, you will be trained in evaluating and presenting research results both in writing and in seminars.

You will learn about applications and use of new sequencing technologies, bioinformatics and other analysis of research results in genomics, epigenetics as well as current methods in proteomics, analysis of proteins and protein expression with identification of novel biomarkers for diseases, using practical applications within the Human Proteome Project (HPR).

In the laboratory, you will, for example, study epigenetic changes in cancer cells using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP analysis) as well as perform diagnostic analysis and cellular protein interactions using proximity ligation assay (PLA). During the first year, you will also learn about different bioinformatical tools used in medical research and use them in practical tasks.

Throughout the programme, you will meet a large number of researchers and lecturers from different universities and companies, but also visit Life Science companies and clinical laboratories as well as participate in international conferences when possible.

Year 2

In the second year, you will learn digital analysis and diagnostics by molecular imaging. The course Regenerative Medicine describes molecular mechanisms in stem cells therapies, tissue engineering, generation of biomaterials, as well as other novel cell and immunotherapies against cancer and other human diseases. In the laboratory, you will perform in vitro differentiation of neuronal stem cells as well as generate iPSC models. If you are interested in research and in gaining laboratory experience, you can apply for projects.

During the last part of the Master's Programme, you will undertake an independent Degree project in Molecular Medicine in a research group at an academic department, or in a company in Sweden or abroad. You conclude the degree project by writing a thesis, compiling the research results, and giving a research seminar.

Courses within the programme

Year 1

Medical Genetics and Cancer; Molecular Mechanisms, 15 credits

Advanced Techniques in Molecular Medicine, 15 credits

Genomic and Epigenomic Medicine, 15 credits

Molecular Tools for Proteome Analysis and Diagnostics, 7.5 credits

Biomarkers, Discovery and Validation, 7.5 credits

Year 2

Bioimaging and Cell Analysis, 7.5 credits

Regenerative Medicine, 7.5 credits

Master's Degree project in Molecular Medicine 45 credits or elective course(s), 15 credits, and

Master's Degree project in Molecular Medicine, 30 credits

Learning experience

Teaching in the Master's Programme in Molecular Medicine includes lectures, seminars, computer or web-based exercises, demonstrations, project work as well as theoretical and practical tasks, conducted both in groups and individually. The lectures provide you with an understanding of current research and perspectives and are given by scientists specialised in the field. During seminars, we will discuss experimental methods, strategies and research results, while reviewing the current scientific literature.

The programme is tightly linked to ongoing biomedical and molecular research, scientific problems and methods relevant for both academia and industry. You will interact with researchers and clinicians from Uppsala University and Uppsala University Hospital and other universities, providing an advanced education, connected with local life science companies and the drug industry.

You will independently compile and present research findings, both in writing and orally. Apart from training in independent thinking and analysis, you will early on obtain direct insights into ongoing research. You will gain practical experiences of current methods in genomics, epigenomics and proteomics. You will be part of a dynamic academic research environment with access to expertise and state-of-the-art technologies.

Your achievements during seminars and laboratory work will be evaluated together with your ability to analyse, interpret and present research results, both in writing and orally as well as together with your theoretical knowledge, assessed by examinations and seminars.

The Master's programme in Molecular Medicine is international with students from many different countries. During the studies, the students are building a network which opens possibilities for a further international career and future collaborations. Several of our students undertake their degree project at well-known universities and research institutes all over the world or in different companies, which can provide valuable merits on a global job market.

The programme is taught entirely in English.