Overview

The Programs

The Doctoral School of Experimental and Preventive Medicine is home to a team of accomplished academic doctors and distinguished scientific supervisors, who provide the foundation for students to engage in high-level research. These experts ensure that students publish their work, defend their theses, and continue to produce cutting-edge research. The Doctoral School currently welcomes applications from international students for seven programs, which are as follows:

1. Neuroscience: Modern industrial society faces numerous health challenges related to both acute and chronic pathologies affecting the nervous system. Experimental and clinical studies conducted within the Neuroscience program at the Doctoral School focus on investigating the function of the nervous system under both physiological and pathological conditions, at the systems, cellular, and molecular levels. Research projects include studies on the visual system, neural degeneration and regeneration, cerebrovascular mechanisms, neuropsychiatric disorders, and pain.

    

   Compulsory subjects: Neurophysiology 1; Neurophysiology 2; Neuroanatomy

2. Neuroendocrinology: Neuroendocrinology remains an area of enormous untapped potential, as over the last four decades, numerous neuropeptides with unknown functions have been isolated from the brains of mammals and humans. Within the Neuroendocrinology program, the primary aim of studies is to determine the physiological and pharmacological effects of these peptides through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In a broader sense, the Neuroendocrinology program encompasses the investigation of various psychiatric disorders (such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia), neurological disorders (including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases), drug use disorders (alcohol, nicotine, and morphine addiction), as well as endocrine and metabolic disorders (such as metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus). A key factor in the pathomechanisms of these conditions is an imbalance in classical neurohormones and neurotransmitters, which has also been linked to the development of these diseases. Additionally, altered expression of neuropeptides and their receptors has also been implicated in the development of these conditions. Consequently, it has been suggested that administering naturally occurring agonists or artificially synthesized antagonists of peptide receptors could provide a more effective treatment for these conditions. As a result, in addition to determining the physiological and pathological roles of neuropeptides, preclinical studies aim to assess their potential therapeutic effects and promote the clinical use of these peptides.

    

   Compulsory subjects: Neuroendocrinology I: The role of neuropeptides in the central nervous system; Neuroendocrinology II: Neuroendocrine systems under physiological and pathological conditions; Chemistry and biochemistry of biopolymers

3. Gastroenterology The Gastroenterology program covers topics related to diseases of major public health concern, such as irritable bowel syndrome, reflux esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, inflammatory bowel disease, acute pancreatitis, or pancreatic carcinoma. Basic research is conducted to investigate the pathogenesis and pathomechanisms of these diseases in vitro and in vivo, as an accurate understanding of disease development enables the creation of effective therapeutic interventions. Clinical trials aim to diagnose these conditions at an early stage and to apply new therapies through both observational and randomized trials. Endoscopy is one of the most dynamically developing fields in gastroenterology, with new imaging modalities and therapeutic procedures emerging to facilitate swift surgical interventions. Several theme papers aim to evaluate the clinical utility of these new methods and compare them with the gold standard. In the program, multidisciplinary cooperation plays a key role, connecting efforts across different disciplines and linking basic and clinical research. A central guiding principle is the translational medicine approach – bringing results from both basic and clinical research into everyday patient care as quickly as possible.

    

   Compulsory subjects: Endocrinology of the gastrointestinal system; Molecular physiology and pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal system; Modern diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy

4. Measurement and analysis of life processes: The program provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the complex – neuronal and humoral – mechanisms involved in regulating life processes. Main research areas include the regulation of microcirculation, brain blood supply, and the respiratory system under both physiological and pathological conditions. Studies are conducted using commercially available and proprietary measurement systems, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with the challenges of assembling biological measurement systems and designing and implementing multimodal imaging systems. An important component of the program is the collection and processing of biological signals, including noise filtering, feature extraction, and stochastic signal analysis. Additionally, the program covers telemedicine-based physiological data collection, the theory and practice of telemedicine systems, and the collection and processing of data within telemedicine frameworks.

    

   Compulsory subjects: Measurement of life; Modern information technologies in medicine; Processing and analysis of measurement data

5. Medical microbiology and immunology: The doctoral school projects at the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology focus on in vitro and in vivo research related to pathogenic viruses and bacteria. The pathomechanism of obligate intracellular Chlamydia species is investigated using in vitro models to examine the host response to infection and the replication of Chlamydia in different organ-specific host cell types. The susceptibility of these bacteria to antimicrobial agents is also assessed. Animal models of Chlamydia infection are employed to test the influence of compounds, incorporated into pharmaceutical products for humans, on chlamydial infection. Research also focuses on the transport mechanisms that provide drug resistance in bacteria and tumor cells, as well as the investigation of synthetic and bioactive compounds isolated from plants that affect drug resistance. Bioactive natural plant extracts are tested for antibacterial and antiviral effects. Cytokines play key roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses during infections. It has been shown that certain cytokines activate phagocytes, thereby facilitating the destruction and elimination of pathogens. Our goal is to identify the processes and mechanisms involved in the intracellular survival of various bacteria and viruses.

    

   Compulsory subjects: The main pathogenicity factors of bacterial and viral infections; Research methods in microbiological investigations; Immune response against pathogens

6. Preventive Medicine: The program adopts a multidisciplinary approach to studies. It focuses on the complex determinants of health, investigating the correlations between morbidity and mortality from public health-related diseases and factors such as lifestyle, behavior, socio-economic environment, exposure to natural and artificial environments, healthcare, and the development of health technology. Epidemiology is the primary method used, but tools from sociology, psychology, environmental epidemiology, nutrition science, and health economics are also employed. The goal of these studies is to contribute to the prevention of the most pressing non-communicable diseases, reduce disease burden and mortality, and improve the cost-effectiveness of healthcare.

    

   Compulsory subjects: Epidemiological research methods; Prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases; Environmental health

7. Medical Genetics and Genomics: The PhD program welcomes newly graduated physicians and biologists. It combines hypothesis-driven genetics and hypothesis-generating genomics within the field of biomedical research. Investigations aim to identify rare mutations and common polymorphisms to better understand the mechanisms underlying rare and common diseases. The results contribute to establishing genotype-phenotype correlations, conducting population screening studies, improving diagnostic methods, and laying the groundwork for developing novel, causative therapeutic modalities for affected patients. In addition to laboratory work in molecular labs, PhD students become active members of the scientific community. They learn how to work in multidisciplinary teams, write scientific papers, and prepare for scientific conferences. They also attend traditional PhD courses, journal clubs, and seminars.

    

   Compulsory subjects: Clinical Genetics 1; Clinical Genetics 2; Actualities in Human Genetics

Start of the programme: September of each year

Tuition fee: 5000 EUR per semester

Application fee: 79 EUR

Please note that applicants are required to select a topic proposal listed on this website and contact both the doctoral school and the supervisor before submitting their application.

For further information, please contact Andrea Pleskó at plesko.andrea@med.u-szeged.hu