The elucidation of the human genome and revolutionary omics technologies are generating genome-scale datasets to an unprecedented level of biological information.

The key challenge, which thousands of Bio scientists have to address world-wide in the 21^st century, is how to translate these omics data into discernible biological knowledge to societal benefit, e.g. to improve human health, nutrition and agriculture and other resources.

To give the next step forward in understanding the complexity of biological systems requires holistic approaches combining biology and computational tools. Indeed, the emergent area of Systems Biology aims to explain how high level properties of complex biological systems arise from the interactions among their parts. Yet, there is currently a gap between biology and the more exact sciences, which is not covered by traditional fields of study.

The BioSys PhD programme aims to train a new generation of post-genomic Bio researchers to understand biological questions at a systems level, by providing internationality, dedicated mentoring and early independence in research environment. BioSys, crossing the boundaries of traditional disciplines, is thus shaped to train young researchers to making the bridge from biology to the computational approaches to solve problems of a new and interdisciplinary nature.

This interdisciplinary programme thus offers the best starting platform for a successful career in the molecular life sciences, whether in academia or industry to meet the challenge of understanding key questions in biology using post-genomic tools.

 

Collaboration with other institutions

BioSys counts with many international Professors as regular Faculty, coming from institutions such as: Karolinska Institute, University of Geneva, Ludvig Institute of Cancer, University of Belfast, University of Freiburg, University of Regensburg, EMBL-Heidelberg, EMBL-EBI Hinxton, Harvard University, Georgia Institute of Technology, etc., taking advantage of the many established international collaborations of BioISI members.

Periods abroad at these (and other) international participating institutions have occurred – as expected within the mixed PhD fellowships (about half of the total proposed) and also through internship periods (secondments). This ensures that the students’ projects benefit from cutting-edge world-class equipment, facilities & infrastructures to guarantee the success of their research projects in the best way possible.

The high level of BioSys internationalization ensures an important networking component of the programme with international collaborating laboratories.

Such networking is also strengthened by visitor exchanges, regular project meetings, symposia, retreats, as well as by additional courses bringing together all PhD students and PIs participating in the programme.