Research and care in respiratory health are evolving at a steady pace. The rise of molecular pathology (the study of abnormalities at the molecular level, such as DNA, within cells) and precision medicine (an approach that tailors treatments to each patient based on their biological characteristics) is profoundly transforming medical practices. To keep up with this dynamic, healthcare professionals must engage in continuous training to integrate the latest diagnostic and therapeutic innovations into their daily practice.
At the same time, it is becoming crucial to harmonize and standardize medical practices at European and international levels. This is particularly important in fields such as molecular diagnostics, biobank management (centers for preserving biological samples), and the validation of artificial intelligence tools. Such harmonization guarantees the quality of care, facilitates scientific data exchange, and allows for better comparability of results between countries.
Furthermore, personalized medicine and respiratory health challenges raise increasingly complex environmental, societal, and ethical questions. Air pollution, inequalities in access to care, and the collection and processing of personal data are all subjects that require a shared understanding among healthcare professionals, public policymakers, and the general public. Better-informed patients can thus become active participants in their own health.
Faced with these challenges, IHU RespirERA is taking a strong stance: disseminating knowledge, advancing skills, and encouraging a common scientific culture among healthcare professionals, patients, and civil society.
This ambitious project aims to transmit knowledge, harmonize medical practices, and structure a training ecosystem focused on respiratory health. Through high-level training, it seeks to strengthen professional skills while raising public awareness of contemporary issues in personalized medicine.
One of the project's pillars is the creation of an accredited European Master’s in Molecular Pathology. This degree, recognized across Europe, will ensure a high level of training, promote the mobility of young healthcare professionals, and strengthen links between academic institutions.
The proposed training covers a wide range of themes:
The project also aims to train future experts capable of meeting current challenges in environmental health, contributing to public health policies, and participating in the building of European networks of excellence.
The educational approach is based on innovative, collaborative, and inclusive methods. The European Master’s in Molecular Pathology is developed in close partnership with European learned societies such as the ESP (European Society of Pathology) and the UEMS (European Union of Medical Specialists), as well as renowned universities, in a spirit of international openness.
To enrich the offer, specialized Masterclasses are organized on specialized topics such as liquid biopsy (analysis of tumor DNA in the blood), emerging biomarkers, or biobank management. These sessions are complemented by University Diplomas (DU) and modules integrated into Master’s programs in public health or medical biology. Topics covered include:
Pedagogical methods are designed to promote active, practical, and immersive learning: realistic simulations, interactive digital platforms, participatory workshops, educational games, virtual reality, role-playing, ethical debates, and training in communication during crisis situations or health risks.
Study fellowships are offered to welcome and train international students in a spirit of openness and intercultural exchange. The project relies on a solid consortium bringing together universities (UniCA, Graz, Groningen, Munich, Berlin, Trieste, Louvain, Nijmegen), learned societies (ESP, UEMS, ESLB), biomedical industry partners, and patient experts.
Thanks to these innovative training programs, healthcare professionals will benefit from a significant skill upgrade, with better mastery of cutting-edge technologies and a harmonized vision of best practices. These contributions will strengthen the quality of diagnostics and the relevance of treatments, directly benefiting patients.
The project also contributes to increasing professionals' autonomy in decision-making, fostering an interdisciplinary approach to health, and improving the understanding of environmental and societal issues related to respiratory health. Better-informed citizens are thus encouraged to adopt behaviors favorable to their health and the environment.
Furthermore, the development of skills in project management, innovation, and entrepreneurship will boost the health sector and promote the emergence of new diagnostic, technological, or organizational solutions.
By uniting a network of European partners, stimulating the mobility of young talent, and positioning IHU RespirERA as a central player in training and innovation, this project will help showcase French excellence in the field of respiratory health.
IHU RespirERA thus affirms its role as a reference center in training, research, and the dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of a fairer, more efficient, and more sustainable public health system.
