The Doctoral Programme in Pathology and Molecular Genetics (ICBAS and FMUP) was established in response to the need for advanced training in the fields of pathology and molecular genetics, in light of the challenges posed by the rapid expansion of knowledge and its growing application within the Health Sciences.
The programme is aimed at holders of first- or second-cycle degrees in the life and health sciences who are interested in carrying out research (basic, translational, or clinical) in the fields of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, as well as in improving or acquiring new skills in molecular analysis applied to problems in biopathology and life and health sciences.
By the end of their training, graduates are expected to have acquired the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to manage, lead, or join scientific research projects and teams, as well as to be qualified to carry out molecular diagnostic activities both in oncology and in infectious diseases, and in other areas of the health sciences.
The course is organised into sequential modules, some of which are shared with the Doctoral Programme in Medicine and Molecular Oncology (FMUP/ICBAS), and are therefore attended by students from both programmes.
Eligible applicants for admission to the programme include graduates in Health Technologies, Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Microbiology, or holders of master’s degrees (e.g. Biochemistry, Oncology) or integrated master’s degrees (e.g. Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine) in the health sciences, in accordance with the Bologna Process regulations.

Among other requirements, it is considered an absolute condition for submission and public defence of the thesis the inclusion in it of a minimum of 1 original article (full length paper) in which the doctoral student is the 1st author, accepted or already published in an international journal of the speciality.

Partner Institutions: The programme is organised by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, in coordination with R&D units recognised by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, namely the associate laboratory Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) [and the institutions that originated it: the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (INEB)], the Research Centre of the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (CI-IPOP), and the Multidisciplinary Unit for Biomedical Research (UMIB).
The programme also benefits from the collaboration of leading institutions within the National Health Service, namely the Santo António Local Health Unit, the São João Local Health Unit, and the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto Francisco Gentil, as well as other higher education institutions and public or private organisations dedicated to research and postgraduate training in health sciences.