Life Sciences Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)

Overview

Skoltech Life Sciences program trains sought-after professionals capable of tackling challenges in bioinformatics, computational biology, microbiology, agrobiotechnology, biophysics, omics technologies, biomedicine and immunology, genetics, neurobiology, neurorehabilitation, biology of aging, drug design, and other fields. Our graduates contribute to scientific progress, advance basic research, and develop groundbreaking technology.

Focus areas

Cell and Molecular Biology

This direction provides a state-of-the-art education in experimental biology and functional genomics, cell and molecular biology, microbiology. Students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge laboratory techniques, including gene editing, protein expression analysis, and cellular imaging methods. The program covers fundamental mechanisms of cellular function, signal transduction pathways, gene regulation, and the molecular basis of disease

Bioinformatics and Genomics

This direction covers diverse areas of modern biology ranging from the function and regulation of individual genes to the analysis of big data on cellular interactions at all levels, from genome to metabolome and chromatin structure, all the way to molecular evolution.

Agrobiotechnologies

This direction teaches students to conduct research and develop innovative products for the globally dynamic sector of agriculture-related industries and startups. The focus is on genetic/genomic approaches (including computational methods) to plant and animal research, as well as on improving the efficiency, sustainability, resilience, and profitability of agriculture — one of the most steadily developing sectors of the Russian economy.

Neurobiology and Neurorehabilitation

This direction trains top-notch professionals in the rapidly developing and multidisciplinary field of neural technologies. The courses cover fundamental neuroscience (from brain molecules to function and systems), clinical applications, engineering, and the relevant mathematical methods. These are areas with tremendous scientific and economic potential.

Biophysics

This direction introduces students to mathematical and physical approaches in life sciences, equipping them with a mechanistic understanding of living systems. The program places a special emphasis on quantitative modeling of biological processes using ideas from statistical physics —from protein/DNA folding to population genetics. Curriculum includes courses on modern, physics-informed methods that integrate biophysical modeling, high-throughput data analysis, and machine learning.

Our students

• gain advanced knowledge in the emerging areas of molecular biology, gene engineering, pharmacology, and bioinformatics, OMICS technologies, neurobiology, agrobiotechnology
• develop hard and soft skills indispensable in a future career
• master cutting-edge methods and technologies and learn to implement them in research
• gain hands-on experience in designing and carrying out experiments, as well as analyzing and interpreting results
• choose from a multitude of fields and career pathways ranging from research labs to multinational companies

Future career

Our graduates shape their own futures by choosing from a variety of career opportunities in industry, science, and business.

• Industry: landing bioinformatics, genetics and biomedical positions with major companies and startups 

• Science: landing PhD positions and extension of the research in leading Russian and international scientific entities 
• Startup: starting a business on their own or through the Skolkovo innovation ecosystem with its extensive pool of experts, partners, mentors and investors