Neurobiology
Where circuits meet cognition
WHAT
Focus
Students explore how the brain and nervous system give rise to behavior, perception, and thought. The program trains them to investigate the biological basis of brain function—from synaptic signaling and neural development to circuit dynamics and neurodegeneration—integrating molecular, cellular, and systems-level neuroscience. By combining neurophysiology, molecular biology, and computational approaches, students learn how neural mechanisms shape normal and pathological processes, preparing them to address questions that span from single neurons to complex brain functions and disorders.
HOW
Approach
Learning combines fundamental coursework with hands-on research across experimental and analytical methods. Students engage with imaging, behavioral studies, and computational modeling, developing a multi-scale understanding of neural systems. Seminars, journal clubs, and collaborations with cognitive and clinical neuroscience teams help bridge bench discoveries with brain health applications.
WHERE
Environment
The area is powered by leading centers in neuroscience and translational brain research, including Human Technopole (HT), which advances neurogenomics and cellular modeling of brain function; the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), which explores neuro-oncology and nervous system–tumor interactions; and IFOM, which contributes molecular insights into signaling and cellular mechanisms relevant to neural biology. Together, they create a multidisciplinary environment where molecular mechanisms connect to systems function, offering students access to advanced technologies and mentorship from researchers decoding the brain’s complexity.
WHO
People
This module is for students intrigued by how neural circuits shape thought, emotion, and behavior—and how these processes break down in disease. Whether studying synaptic plasticity, modeling brain networks, or exploring therapeutic strategies, students gain the tools to understand the biology of the mind.