The Neuroscience field is experiencing amazing developments, characterized by a progressive expansion of conceptual approaches, scientific tools, clinical and technological applications. Over the past two decades, this sector has extended its boundaries far beyond biomedical sciences, incorporating knowledge and tools not only from physics, mathematics, computer science and engineering, but also from humanities and social sciences. The growing integration between Neuroscience and other scientific sectors is delivering great clinical, economic and social impacts, stimulating the transfer of basic knowledge to different applications. These include new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, increasingly better tools for the study of the nervous system in physiological and pathological conditions as well as powerful approaches for examining and manipulating neural circuits.

This fast growth poses new challenges to the academic preparation of new professionals in the sector, who may be able to operate competitively in a work scenario that increasingly requires complex interdisciplinary preparation.

The Master degree course in Biotechnology for Neuroscience aims at training a figure of researcher / biomedical operator who, starting from a strong general background in medical biotechnologies, will develop advanced multidisciplinary skills in various areas of Neuroscience. The theoretical and practical abilities acquired during the course will allow graduates to operate in multidisciplinary and international work contexts, interacting productively with professionals operating in the medical, engineering, physical and ICT subfields of Neuroscience.

Graduates in Biotechnology for Neuroscience will have advanced professional skills regarding the processes of research and development, as well as production of goods and services, in the main sectors of modern bio-medical technologies. The more specific scope of these skills will concern cellular, molecular, genetic, pharmacological, physiological and computer technologies used for the study and diagnostics of the physiological and pathological conditions involving the structure and function of the nervous system, as well as for the therapy of his pathological affections. Graduates will also have the skills necessary for the promotion and development of scientific and technological innovation and for technology transfer. Finally, they will possess the communication, organizational and management skills necessary to operate, interact and update themselves in the multidisciplinary work contexts typical of neuroscientific applications.

First of all, Biotechnology for Neuroscience graduates will know and know how to use the main biotechnological strategies in the diagnostic, therapeutic and research fields, both basic and translational. These will mainly include statistical and ICT methodologies for the quantitative analysis of large amounts of data, genetic and molecular diagnostic systems, multi-omics technologies for the identification and exploitation of new diagnostic markers and molecular targets, cell therapy and gene therapy, the bases of regenerative medicine, the main technologies for development and production of new drugs and bio-active molecules.

At the same time, the course is aimed at characterizing the training of graduates towards the skills necessary for the exercise of qualified activities in the field of Neuroscience. These will include in-depth knowledge of: the anatomy and development of the nervous system; the molecular, cellular and physiological processes that govern the correct functioning of the nervous system; the pathological processes responsible for the main neurological, neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases; the clinical impact of these pathologies on individual homeostasis and relationship functions; the technologies used for the study of the cellular structure, morphology and connectomics of the nervous system, with particular regard to neuroimaging methods used for the production and analysis of neuroimaging; the technologies used for the study of physiology, pathophysiology and pathologies of the nervous system.

The last phase of the training program will be characterized by the acquisition of multidisciplinary specialist knowledge of great importance for Neuroscience, through curricular and optional courses designed in constant cooperation with the principal stakeholders. These courses will not follow distinct curricular paths, but will allow graduates to flexibly decline their training in specific sectors of Neuroscience.

This approach will allow the Master course to maintain both a strongly characterized unitary structure as well as a high adherence to the changing needs of a sector in constant and rapid transformation over time.

The Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" (DNS), reference structure of the course, represents a fundamental node in the network of research, development, diagnostics and therapy activities that take place in Piedmont region in the Neuroscience sector.

The DNS leads the Interdepartmental Center for Advanced Studies in Neuroscience of the University of Turin (NIT Neuroscience Institute of Turin), founded in 2006 to coordinate research in the field of Neuroscience (www.centronit.unito.it/it). Through NIT, the DNS also coordinates a Neuro-Imaging Center fully equipped for functional and macro-connectomics studies.

The DNS has a wide participation in the activities of the NICO (Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi) of Orbassano, a leading experimental research center for Neuroscience (http://www.nico.ottolenghi.unito.it/ita). The NICO hosts numerous laboratories that ensure coverage of a wide range of multidisciplinary research activities applied to neuroscience - neuroanotomy, cell and molecular biology, genetics, cell physiology. In addition, NICO professors founded (2016) an academic spin-off (S & P Brain, www.spbrain.com).

DNS professors direct the Regional Center for Treatment-Resistant Psychotic Disorders, part of the Italian Network for Research on Psychosis, the Regional Center for Eating Disorders, and the clinical and research centers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Neuromuscular Diseases, part of the Neuromuscular Diseases network of the European Reference Network (ERN EURO-NMD).

 The laboratories operating in these structures and institutions are equipped to carry out research and diagnostics in molecular biology, neuropathology and imaging at different levels: microscopic, with electron microscopy, confocal, two-photon and light sheet microscopy; macroscopic and morphofunctional, with the 3T functional magnetic resonance of the Neuroimaging Center). The DNS and other UniTO departments participating in the course have close contacts with other research institutions and with companies operating in Piedmont, in the fields of Biotechnology and Neuroscience. The network of collaborative relationships will make it possible to offer a wide range of training internships, which in addition to enriching the skills of the undergraduates will be useful for their career orientation. In addition to research, the Department is engaged in teaching and higher education. In fact, the following are active: the Degree Course in Neurophysiopathology Techniques, the interdepartmental Master's Degree Course (Dept. of Psychology and Dept. of Neuroscience) in Sciences of the Body and Mind, three medical specialty schools (Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry) and seven Masters. The teaching environment will offer great opportunity for exchanges with other students who are developing their training in medicine, biotechnology and health professions.