Charm-EU: From Montpellier to Utrecht, training tomorrow's researchers
Supported by the universities of Montpellier and Utrecht (Netherlands), the first edition of a pilot research-based teaching module ended on December 11, 2024, with a student project pitch session. Future researchers want to place patients at the heart of their therapeutic solutions.
Five groups, five minutes per group, five scientific proposals for colorectal cancer screening or treatment. On December 11, 2024, around twenty students from Montpellier and Utrecht (Netherlands) pitched their research project proposals at the Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM). The jury was made up of clinicians, representatives of patient associations, andProfessors both universities. The latter are supervising the first edition of a teaching module developed as part of the European Charm-EU alliance. This comes just three months after the inaugural conference , "Integrated approaches to fight colorectal cancer: all together to break down barriers," which brought them together in Montpellier at the end of September.
Therapy or screening?
Meanwhile, students worked in international and interdisciplinary teams (biochemistry, materials chemistry, biology, pharmacology, biotechnology, etc.) on various avenues of research. Some focused on the therapeutic aspect, while others concentrated on screening for this disease, which is the second most deadly form of cancer. In Montpellier, they were able to draw on the expertise of numerous specialists from the I-site (SIRIC Montpellier Cancer, Montpellier Cancer Institute,Montpellier Cancer Research Institute, Max Mousseron Biomolecules Institute). Integrated into the master's degree programs involved, this module, Tackling challenges through international research linked research hub, draws on the excellence of international research networks while allowing students to experience a pedagogy focused on solving challenges and to prepare themselves in a concrete way for writing a research project.
Three projects were recognized at the end of this pitch session. The jury's first prize went to a project focusing on "a microbiota bacterium as a therapeutic solution to reduce the negative effects of chemotherapy while increasing treatment responses," explain Thaïs, Pierre, Naël, and Laura. This was a highly interdisciplinary team, with Thaïs and Pierre studying for a master's degree in cancer biology (University of Montpellier), Naël studying for a master's degree in chemistry of materials for health (University of Montpellier), and Laura studying for a master's degree in drug innovation (University of Utrecht).
"At first, we didn't know how much impact we would have, "they add. "We wanted to take direct action on something that would have a long-term effect on patient well-being. It's also very exciting to be able to collaborate internationally on such a project!"
Biotherapies
This program, recognized by ECTS1 within the relevant courses, trains students in research methodology while promoting interculturality and interdisciplinarity. The involvement of patient associations has enabled future researchers to take their views fully into account and put them back at the center of therapeutic strategies.
Four students from this pilot module will continue this international experience through a six-month research internship at laboratories in Montpellier (IBMM and IRCM) and Utrecht.
Building on the success of this first edition, there are plans to open this module to other courses and other partner universities in the CHARM-EU alliance from the start of the next academic year. This will enable students to explore other health issues such as autoimmune diseases and other therapeutic modalities, in particular biotherapies.
- ECTS, or the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, facilitates the recognition of degrees within Europe and thus promotes student mobility. ↩︎