How can AI make healthcare more human? How can we exploit the immune system to treat diseases? How does nutrition impact mental health? How can organoids help to reduce animal experimentation?
Study MMIT and be part of the next generation of successful scientists, joining a community dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and making a meaningful impact on the future of healthcare!
The MSc Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment (MMIT) is a two-year selective programme designed to educate motivated students through a challenging and high-quality multidisciplinary curriculum. Whether you aspire to work in or outside academia, we will prepare you for a successful career in (bio)medical and pharmaceutical sciences. The programme is unique in that all the courses focus on how to become a successful independent researcher. Right from the start, you will learn to become a critical evaluator of current research, develop your own ideas, and define the kind of researcher you want to become.
MMIT offers a rare advantage by integrating clinical, medical, and pharmaceutical aspects. It covers a wide range of exciting topics in molecular and translational medical research such as Immunology and infectious diseases, drug innovation and development, neurobiology and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer biology and immune therapy, cardiovascular diseases, and bioinformatic and system medicine. If you are more interested in a programme that provides you with an industry perspective on translational medicine check out our International Master in Innovative Medicine (IMIM).
The MSc Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment is housed at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the Department of Pharmacy, and coordinated by the Graduate School of Medical Sciences (GSMS). Therefore, as an MMIT student, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for (pharmacy)genomics, proteomics, and in vivo and in vitro imaging.
Throughout the MSc Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment programme, we put a strong emphasis on interactive learning, fostering small-group discussions and collaborations, and acquiring transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, etc. Your personal and professional development is our main focus.
Whether your interest lies in brain research, genetics, epigenetics, nanomedicine, microbiology, personalized medicine, or any other topic within (bio)medical and pharmaceutical sciences, as an MMIT student, you have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your specific interests and ambitions. After the first semester, you can also choose to specialize (or not!) in one of the following areas:
With the learning-by-doing principle at the core of our programme, you will have frequent interactions with our team of dedicated researchers and supervisors. This hands-on approach will provide you with practical experiences, creating an optimal learning environment and allowing you to quickly acquire new knowledge and skills.
To gain even more hands-on experience you will have the opportunity to complete two research internships, also called research projects, either at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), within the Netherlands, or abroad in the country of your choice or within our extensive international network spanning across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
If you are seeking to make a difference in the field of modern medicine then MMIT is the ideal choice for you! Read on below for more information on the unique features of MMIT, the courses offered, the entry requirements, and the job prospects.
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Read more'You can only find this specific combination of (bio)medical and pharmaceutical sciences here'
Ambitious, motivated and talented: according to programme director Inge Zuhorn, these words perfectly describe the students of the master programme of Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment (MMIT). 'The vast majority of our students aspire to an academic career and continue as a PhD student after graduation.'
Prof. dr. Zuhorn is responsible for the content, organisation and quality of the master’s programme and its different specializations. ‘MMIT is embedded within the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), combining (bio)medical and pharmaceutical sciences. Emphasis is on the field of (bio) medical sciences but students also learn the fundamentals of drug research. This unique combination allows students to not only obtain a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of diseases, but also gain an understanding into the development of novel innovative therapies.’
Research skills
The lectures are top-researchers from the UMCG and GRIP and teach
students all indispensable research skills for the future. From
critical reading and scientific writing to presenting, debating and
making well-thought decisions. ‘Crucial for future top
researchers is to be able to make decisions independently and in a
well-reasoned manner. Students are guided in every step of the
process,’ prof. dr. Zuhorn says. ‘That way they learn
to ask critical questions before deliberating on the next step, to
formulate hypotheses and use these to design experiments and gather
evidence. In my personal experience and that of the other teachers,
there is nothing more fun than teaching MMIT students; they are
highly motivated and eager to learn.’
Which specialization to choose?
With the six different specializations, students are given freedom
to focus on the fields of their interest. Each specialization will
be presented at the beginning of the programme and students can
decide if they want to participate in a specialization or follow a
general programme. Students are assigned a mentor who helps them
with decision making. Before students enter their first research
project, they are asked to arrange a personal interview with three
UMCG/GRIP researchers of their choice. ‘That is where your
motivation and independent decision making comes in again. You have
to argue –via an oral presentation- which of the three
laboratories suits your research ambitions the best.’ For the
second-year research project, students can also go abroad or do an
industrial internship. All the knowledge and skills that you have
obtained culminate at the end of the programme where students write
and defend their own research proposal. The students can compete
for a PhD scholarship to execute their own proposal. This is quite
unique and obviously lots of fun.’
Biologists, medics and pharmacists
MMIT students come from different cultural and educational
backgrounds. That shapes the master programme in a good way, prof.
dr Zuhorn adds. ‘This year we have welcomed students of 17
nationalities and different bachelor degrees. Yet they form a
tight-knit community and learn a lot from each other. Looking at
issues from different perspectives, they complement and strengthen
each other’s knowledge.’
Some advice
‘Yes, we have a selection procedure but do not be intimidated
by this,’ prof. dr. Zuhorn says. Students are screened on the
basis of their CV, motivation letter and a letter of
recommendation. Students that pass the requirements will be
interviewed by the Admission board. During this interview - either
in person or via Skype - applicants are asked to present a research
project from their BSc study and an article. ‘The pressure is
on, but just remember that you can prepare yourself well. Your
motivation and talent for research are most important. Show them
that you are a serious candidate.’
I have always believed the right education will give immense confidence and belief in oneself. The MMIT master programme has been that for me. I was able to pursue specific topics and had the opportunity to specialize in one of my interests later during the programme.
My time during the research projects was highly rewarding. Writing research proposals, working independently, presenting to the team, and brainstorming new ideas laid the fundamentals for a career in science.
Apart from science and academics, the self-development sessions with my mentor are something that I will cherish. They helped me introspect myself and set realistic goals. I became aware not only of my strengths but also of the places that I must work on to build myself. I learnt to trust my intuitions, believe in my abilities and constantly work on myself from the feedback I receive. This has shaped me and given me the preparedness to face the world.
Last but not least, the MMIT office is a wonderful team of women who are always around when you need them. Moving to another country to pursue a master's during the pandemic was a challenging experience for me, but the MMIT office made things smooth and always looked out for their students which I’m grateful for!
If you are someone who is interested in research, loves science, and wants to set foot into the research world, this master's is for you! MMIT guides you, moulds you and helps you to comfortably take your place in the world of research!
After completing my bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences, I was unsure which specific path I want to follow. Luckily, MMIT offers six specializations, which are thoroughly presented at the beginning of the programme. Having heard from top-of-the-field researchers leading these specializations, I chose to follow the Oncology track.
After completing my bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences, I was unsure which specific path I wanted to follow. Luckily, MMIT offers six specializations, which are thoroughly presented at the beginning of the programme. Having heard from top-of-the-field researchers leading these specializations, I chose to follow the Oncology track.
During this track, I had the opportunity to expand my theoretical knowledge and learn about the latest research in the field, as well as participate in Oncology-related research myself. During this 6-month internship, I had the opportunity to work alongside and be introduced to the world of (oncology) research by inspiring (early-career) scientists at the UMCG. I believe this has strongly paved my way to pursuing a PhD degree in Medicine, which I am currently focusing on.
All in all, if given the chance, I would definitely choose the MMIT programme over and over again!
On top of all the transferable skills and experience I have gained at the UG/UMCG, I made a lot of good friends from all over the world, due to the multicultural environment in the MMIT programme.
