Biology: Cancer BiologyUniversität Zürich

Cancer Biology is a Master's program that delves into the fundamental molecular pathways regulating genome instability, cellular transformation, cancer stem cells, their interaction with the tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic opportunities. Students will attend interactive lectures covering various aspects of basic cancer research, focusing on specific cancer types to understand general concepts in cancer onset and therapy. Through a selection of block courses, students will learn to cultivate cancer cells and analyze tumor-relevant samples using a range of molecular tools, from in-silico approaches to in-vitro biochemistry, single-molecule analysis, in-vivo immunostainings, tissue microenvironment analysis, and therapeutic responses in animal cancer models. The program aims to equip students with the ability to analyze and interpret data in the context of molecular, cell biological, and medical relevance. Students will also manipulate chemical and genetic factors to influence the onset and therapy of specific cancers. Upon completion, students are expected to possess a solid foundation for a mechanistic understanding of cancer at the molecular level and be capable of addressing new biological questions related to cancer onset or therapy.

Students must earn a minimum of 4 ECTS from compulsory theoretical courses, including "Translational Cancer Research: New Technologies, Mouse Models and Clinical Approaches" (BIO 242), "Cancer and the Immune System" (BIO 251), "DNA Metabolism and Cancer" (BIO 257), and "Biology of Cancer Treatment: Old and Novel Therapeutic Approaches" (BIO 433). An additional 4 ECTS can be obtained from any UZH/ETHZ modules, with a recommendation for modules covering cancer research or transferable skills, such as "Epigenetics" (BIO 243). Recommended elective modules for basic studies include BME 235, BME 247, BCH 202, BCH 215, BIO 390, and STA 120.

A minimum of 12 ECTS must be earned from two practical block courses. These include options such as "Cancer Stem/Propagating Cells and their Microenvironment" (BIO 230), "Genome Instability and Molecular Cancer Research: Cell Biology" (BIO 246), "Cellular Response to Genotoxic Stress" (BIO 247), "Drug Efficacy and Pathway Assessment in Pediatric Brain Cancer Models" (BIO 250), "Precision Oncology and Functional Tumor Pathology" (BIO 256), "Cancer, Immunotherapy and Inflammation Research" (BIO 258), "Cell Motility Control in Invasive Brain Tumors" (BIO 319), "Cell Death, Inflammation and Immunity" (BIO 431), "Epigenetics and Disease" (BME 312), and "Cancer Cell Signaling: Mechanisms, Targets and Therapeutic Approaches" (ETH 551-1513-00L).

The program involves leading experts in various aspects of Cancer Biology, from basic research on genome stability and epigenetics to cancer animal models and molecular investigations of cancer onset and therapy in a clinical setting. Laboratories are spread across three faculties (Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine, and Vetsuisse Faculty) and various institutes at the Irchel Campus, Children's Hospital, and University Hospital Zurich. The program collaborates closely with the programs in Molecular Life Sciences, Immunology, and Biomedicine.

The Master's thesis can be undertaken with various research group leaders, including Prof. Dr. Matthias Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. Martin Baumgartner, Prof. Dr. Burkhard Becher, Prof. Dr. Bernd Bodenmiller, PD Dr. Beat Bornhauser, Prof. Dr. Lubor Borsig, Prof. Dr. Jean-Pierre Bourquin, PD Dr. Ralph Fritsch, Prof. Dr. Michael Grotzer, Prof. Dr. Ana Guerreiro Stücklin, Prof. Dr. Michael Hottiger, Prof. Dr. Pavel Janscak, PD Dr. Jan Krützfeld, Prof. Dr. Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann, Prof. Dr. Mitchell Levesque, Prof. Dr. Massimo Lopes, Prof. Dr. Chiara Magnani, Prof. Dr. Markus Manz, Prof. Dr. Enni Markkanen, Dr. Dr. med. univ. Raphael Morscher, Prof. Dr. Anne Müller, Prof. Dr. Christian Münz, Prof. Dr. Hanspeter Nägeli, Prof. Dr. Javad Nazarian, Prof. Dr. César Nombela-Arrieta, Prof. Dr. Chantal Pauli, Prof. Dr. Lorenza Penengo, Prof. Dr. Martin Pruschy, Prof. Dr. Raffaella Santoro, Prof. Dr. Alessandro Sartori, Prof. Dr. Michael Scharl, Prof. Dr. Gerald Schwank, Prof. Dr. Ataman Sendoel, Prof. Dr. Lukas Sommer, Prof. Dr. Manuel Stucki, Prof. Dr. Didier Surdez, PD Dr. Alexandre Theocharides, Prof. Dr. Sonia Tugues, PD Dr. Marco Wachtel, Prof. Dr. Achim Weber, Prof. Dr. Michael Weller, Prof. Dr. Lynn Wong, and Prof. Dr. Thorsten Zenz.

The module BIO338 Introduction to Scientific Writing (0 ECTS) is mandatory for all Biology Master's students and must be completed before writing the Master's Thesis.