Cancer is an extremely complex disease in which several aspects of normal cellular function are disrupted. Thus, the classical approach in research, based on the study of a single gene or a single function at a time, is not sufficient to effectively fight the disease.

However, in the era of genomics and proteomics, emerging technologies and new multidisciplinary approaches are now allowing us to address cancer as a whole and provides new hope for developing treatments against the disease.

Given the complexity of contemporary biological problems, specifically with regards to cancer, it is crucial for students to gain solid multidisciplinary research training before embarking on a career in science. This training should focus on both the key concepts underlying the various fields of biology and the diversity of modern technology approaches.

With this in mind, IRIC has established a new M.Sc. and Ph.D. program in Systems Biology. Integrated into the Université de Montréal’s Molecular Biology program, the curriculum builds on a tight integration between theory and practice. Students can choose from a wide variety of projects from the molecular genetics of cancer and stem cells to signaling pathways and the immune system, to proteomics and bioinformatics.

Objectives:

Our graduate programs in Systems Biology aim to provide theoretical and practical training in the field of cancer research and to allow students to:

• prepare for the new realities of biomedical research;
• learn in a multidisciplinary environment;
• learn how to apply theoretical concepts into practice;
• develop teamwork skills by collaborating with other research teams;
• develop their skills in the laboratory and for the use of the various technologies available at IRIC;
• learn to generate and process large amounts of scientific data using the latest techniques.