Biological Therapeutics (S2-PRK-BT)

This degree programme is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme –ZIP 2.0”. It is co-financed by the European Social Fund as part of the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00).
Studying in this programme provides additional opportunities to develop passions and competencies that are valuable in a rapidly changing job market.

Thanks to European Funds, Participants of ZIP 2.0 Programme can benefit fromnumerous opportunities including:

• Additional classes conducted by practitioners and organized in cooperation with the socio-economic environment,
• Workshops developing teamwork skills in international and multicultural environment,
• Individual domestic and international trips for academic and professional purposes,
• Various forms of collaboration with researchers from abroad,
• A diverse range of training camps, outdoor classes, and study tours,
• Financial support to cover the costs of student-led scientific research,
• Tutoring, i.e., individual support from academic teachers,
• A professional mentoring programme that prepares students to enter the job market,
• Opportunities to carry out socially engaged group projects.

Check the rules for participating in the ZIP 2.0 Programme

Field: science and natural sciences, medical sciences and health sciences

Discipline: biological sciences, chemical sciences, physical sciences, medical sciences

Language of instruction: english

Professional degree you will be awarded after completing studies : Master's degree

Where and when your classes will take place:

Place: Classes are held in laboratories on the Ochota Campus: mainly at the Faculty of Physics (Ludwika Pasteura 5) and at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (Księcia Trojdena 4). Some classes involving guests from outside Warsaw (e.g. representatives of pharmaceutical companies) will be conducted online.

Time: Classes are held from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

What kind of knowledge, skills and competencies you will acquire at this field of studies:

• the design and in vitro synthesis of nucleic acid-based biological drugs.
• the molecular mechanisms of action of biological drugs at the cellular and organismal levels.
• pharmaceutical biophysics methods for better design, quality control and optimisation of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• biochemical mechanisms occurring in cells and how they can be used in the production of medicinal substances.
• purification of proteins with therapeutic applications (such as antibodies) and learn about cellular systems used for drug production.
• designing preclinical studies of biological drugs using in vitro cell cultures and animal models.
• methods of delivering biological drugs to cells using lipid nanoparticles.
• ethical creation of animal models for preclinical research using CRISPR/Cas9 methods and the use of animals following applicable law and good practice.
• the use of modern analytical techniques for biological drug research
• modern technologies, and methods of genetic modification used in the production of biological drugs.
• regulatory, patent, financial and management aspects related to the development of biological drugs
• principles of quality control of drugs based on proteins and nucleic acids and their production on a preclinical scale.
• production technologies, biotechnological processes, and transport and separation methods.

You will learn:

• to critically analyse scientific publications and patents, and to present research results following the principles of effective and correct communication.
• to plan and conduct biotechnological experiments, and to interpret and report research data.
• to develop soft skills through teamwork and team management.
• use bioinformatics tools to design, analyse and improve biological drugs.
• assess the usefulness of various methods and devices and propose optimal solutions for drug development and production.
• develop practical laboratory skills in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology.

• Implement and supervise the production processes of biosimilar drugs and quality control, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

During your studies in Biological Therapeutics, you will gain comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology, laboratory and analytical skills, and the competencies necessary to work in the innovative sector of biological and biosimilar drug production, which will allow you to function effectively in the modern pharmaceutical industry. You will acquire the skills to work in research and development and production departments of companies in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sectors.

Where you can find a job after completing studies

On the Biological Therapeutics programme, we place a strong emphasis on developing critical thinking skills and acquiring and processing reliable information creatively. A key part of this is the series of logically connected laboratory exercises we have designed, covering the chemical synthesis of reagents and enzymes necessary for RNA production, the design of antigen-encoding templates for in vitro transcription, and quality control and preclinical testing. You will learn how to package mRNA into lipid nanoparticles using microfluidic techniques, and how to administer these to cells cultured in vitro or to animals.

Throughout your studies, you will therefore develop practical expertise in designing, synthesising, purifying and verifying the quality of therapeutic mRNA.

You will also become familiar with protein purification methods and learn about monoclonal antibody selection. You will use CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tools to modify the mouse genome, learning how to genotype in order to select properly modified clones. You will also gain experience in modern sequencing techniques, such as nanopore sequencing, and learn how to analyse data obtained from this type of experiment.

The Biological Therapeutics programme is distinguished by its block teaching, which enables complex, multi-stage experiments and makes more effective use of laboratory time. Integrating knowledge from the exact and natural sciences and medicine, the programme prepares specialists for work in modern pharmacy and biotechnology.

Are there different specialties and specializations at the field of studies

The Biological Therapeutics programme does not offer specialisations.

Will you pursue internship during the studies

The study programme does not include internships, so they are optional.

Is it possible to study one/several semesters at other university

Yes, you can participate in the MOST or Erasmus+ programmes.

Where you can find more information on the study programme:

Visit our website: https://medycyna.uw.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/sites/138/2025/07/M.2025.249.U.128.pdf