The aim of the doctoral program is to train doctoral students as highly skilled scientists capable of independent research in the public sector of higher education and research in biology and health sciences or as scientifically-trained professionals who will valorize their competences in a non-academic context.
The Doctoral School “Biology and Health” provides a stimulating academic environment for advanced multi-disciplinary training in basic biological and biomedical research, applied clinical research, medically-related technological innovations and Public Health research.
A doctorate is based on the realization of an academic research project. Multi-disciplinary researches complement each other, and integrate basic research on biochemistry, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, to investigate the great integrated functions of the organism and their pathologies with the support of information technologies (biostatistics, modeling, and imaging) and finalize in patient-to-patient approaches.
Major research topics are centered on:
- Glycobiology: biosynthesis and signaling,
- Gene regulation and Cancer,
- Neurosciences and Neurodegenerative diseases,
- Diabetes, Metabolic diseases and Cardiovascular diseases,
- Infection diseases and Immunology
- Drugs, Biotherapies, Nutrition, Environment, Physical activities and rehabilitation.
Around 520 senior scientists who hold a habilitation to supervise research are affiliated with the Doctoral School as members of the various nationally or internationally recognized research teams on campuses in Lille or nearby cities (Villeneuve d’Asq, Ronchin). Most of these research teams are also affiliated with French national research institutions.
At present, around 360 university graduates admitted into the doctoral program receive theoretical and practical training and conduct a structured research project under the supervision of a senior scientist in one of 26 research units. This excellent faculty-to-student ratio fosters close interaction between students and faculty.