Parcours: Immunity, inflammation, infection

The objective of the "Immunity, inflammation, infection" subprogram is to provide students with quality training enabling them to pursue a PhD program in the field of immunology, inflammatory and infectious diseases. The training is based on the topics developed in the research units of the University of Lille: (i) the molecular and cellular dynamics of the pathogenic-host microorganism interactions, (ii) the immune processes involved in infectious pathologies , (iii) chronic inflammatory diseases, and (iv) the relationships between the immune system and the environment (microbiota, pollution, sport, food, etc.). Current therapeutic strategies based on the manipulation of molecular and immune effectors will be presented.

The purpose of this fundamental disciplinary teaching unit is to provide knowledge enabling students to approach later more specialized courses in the fields of immunity, inflammation and infection. Several teaching subunits (JT) are provided. Each is organized during one day around a specific topic. Student choose six subunits related to their research project and / or essential in their specialization area. During the JT, theoretical concepts are presented through mini-conferences by experts in the field. Teaching through flipping classrooms methods are also used with presentations by students of recent research related to the topic of the day.
Click here to download the sheet of UE 2.1. (PDF, 152 ko)
Course schdule : French version 2023/24 (PDF, 126 ko)

Elective teaching: 13 teaching subunits (6 choices from 13)

  • EC1:  In vivo study of gene function and regulation. Learn more
  • EC2:  Chromatin and epigenetic regulation.
  • EC3:  Membrane receptors and associated signaling pathways. Learn more
  • EC4:  Nuclear receptors: structure, mechanisms, pathophysiology and study methods.
  • EC5:  Intra- and inter-cellular trafficking. Learn more
  • EC6:  The multiple forms of cell death: pathophysiological implications.
  • EC7:  Mitochondria and pathophysiology. Learn more
  • EC8:  Regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis by the central nervous system.
  • EC9:  Immune responses: dynamics and molecular bases.
  • EC10: Human pathophysiology and ion channels.
  • EC11: Glycopathology, from rare genetic diseases to acquired diseases linked to sugars.
  • EC12: Experimental animal models - phenotypic characterization in metabolic and neurological diseases. Learn more
  • EC13: Introduction to clinical research. 

The purpose of this disciplinary teaching unit is to provide students with the conceptual and methodological bases as well as the experimental procedures allowing the study of microorganisms and of the immune system. Head topics related to specialization of the research units of the University of Lille are presented, in particular the molecular and cellular dynamics of the host-pathogen interactions, immune processes involved in infectious diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, and the relationships between the immune system and its environment.
Click here to download the sheet of UE 2.2. (PDF, 1 mo)  
Course schedule, see french version 2023/24 (PDF, 140 ko)

Elective teaching: 8 teaching subunits
Eight teaching subunits of 6 to 12 h are provided. Each subunit takes the form of a seminar on a specific topic, including conferences and mini-symposia. The students are actively associated. They have to choose the equivalent of 10 days from these eight seminars.

  • ST1: Host-pathogen interactions.
  • ST2: Virulence of infectious agents.
  • ST3: Resistance to anti-infectives and new therapies.
  • ST4: From clinic to models: contextualization of research on infections. Learn more
  • ST5: Mucosal Immunity: from homeostasis to pathology. Learn more 
  • ST6: T and B lymphocytes: ontogeny and homeostasis throughout life in the various parts of the organism.
  • ST7: Current and future vaccines: from basic research to its application in public health. Learn more 
  • ST8: Environmental influences on human health.

This teaching unit aims to provide students with knowledge of recent techniques and equipment used in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and physiology which are essential for a research project in biology applied to health, in the areas of immunity, inflammation and infection.
Click here to download the sheet of UE 3.3. (PDF, 121 ko)
Course schedule, see French version 2023/24 (PDF, 157 ko)

Elective teaching: Fifteen teaching subunits (EC) are available. Students choose 8 in connection with the techniques to be implemented in their research project and / or essential in their specialization.

  • EC1:  Human genetics
  • EC2:  New applications of high throughput gene sequencing
  • EC3:  Proteomics and metabolomics strategies: commonalities and specificities. Learn more (update 9/6/22)
  • EC4:  Inference and interrogation of biological networks. Learn more (update 9/6/22)
  • EC5:  Editing and modification of gene expression
  • EC6:  Viral vectors and their applications. Learn more (update 9/6/22)
  • EC7:  Invertebrate models. Learn more (update 9/6/22)
  • EC8:  Cell culture systems for organ modeling
  • EC9:  Microfluidics, Organ-on-a-chip and Mechanobiology
  • EC10: Flow cytometry
  • EC11: Super-resolution and correlative imaging
  • EC12: Single cell electrophysiology: pharmacological applications
  • EC13: Preclinical imaging. Learn more (update 9/6/22)
  • EC14: Medical imaging. Learn more (update 9/6/22)
  • EC15: Making organs transparent   
  • EC16: Meta-analysis. Learn more (update 9/6/22)
  • EC17: Machine learning and artificial intelligence methods. Learn more (update 9/6/22) 
  • EC18: Drug Discovery and Development: Recent Concepts and Strategies. Learn more (update 9/6/22)
The purpose of this teaching unit is to implement an experimental approach allowing the design and implementation of a project in the field of precision health. This period of professional experience will take place in one of the research units belonging to the University of Lille or to another institution in France or abroad. The internship will be supervised by a professional supervisor, affiliated with the host research unit.
Click here to download the sheet of UE 4.2. (update 9/6/22)