The Master of Clinical Research programme at the University of Barcelona (UB) was inaugurated on 4 October in the Aula Magna of the university's Medical Faculty with a lecture by Dr  Josep Mª Antó, director of CREAL, an ISGlobal alliance research centre.

Dr Antó talked about the relationship between asthma and allergies in childhood: "We need a new approach because of the classic limitations of asthma epidemiology. In 26% of cases, asthma risk is associated with house dust. If you are allergic, the asthma gets worse. Exposure to mite allergen results in sensitization, which in turn leads to an increase in asthma episodes".

Key Components of the Masters of Clinical Research

The opening session was followed by a presentation of the new edition of the UB's Master of Clinical Research Programme. The course includes a mandatory core module and optional credits that define the specialty of each individual Master. It was designed to equip students with the skills they need to carry out clinical and biomedical research.

ISGlobal coordinates the discretionary module on international health. Dr Nuria Casamitjana—Director of Training in ISGlobal—explained the specialty and added, "we have started work this week, but some aspects still have to be defined, including the choice of the course tutor and the final thesis projects, among others". The classes will be held in the Faculty of Medicine at the UB.

In addition to acquiring credits in their chosen specialty, students must submit a master's thesis at the end of the course. This must have the complexity of an original research publication in an indexed journal and must be defended at a public presentation.

Structure of the course

The early sessions will focus on the research tools and design instruments that are fundamental to the correct development of the final thesis. The second part of the course will focus on systems medicine with the aim of enabling students to understand where research is going and how to apply its results in clinical practice.

More information: Master of Clinical Research: International Health track