Master Degree in Integrative and Systems Immunology
MISI is a pioneering programme and the only graduate degree centred on Immunology offered by Portuguese public universities.
Although Immunology might at first glance appear to be a narrow specialisation, MISI is built on the opposite premise: it is a truly interdisciplinary learning experience designed to broaden the horizons of its graduates. MISI provides a solid foundation of experimental laboratory research, enhanced by data science, omics, and systems biology to meet the challenges of modern research.
MISI’s goal is to educate a versatile new generation of professionals who are equally at home in academic research, clinical environments, the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, and the data science sector. By bridging these domains, MISI ensures that its graduates are not just competent specialists, but adaptable leaders ready to tackle the complex and emerging biomedical challenges of the future.
The curriculum and faculty have been carefully assembled to ensure that the expertise in the immune system becomes a gateway to diverse career paths. The cohort is limited by design to 15-20 students, a specific “cohort size” that is large enough to foster diverse perspectives and cooperation, yet intimate enough to ensure personalised attention to each student’s individual needs and professional development.
Curricular Plan
MISI’s integrated curricular plan was crafted to meet the rigorous demands of modern basic and applied biomedical research. The program identifies potential knowledge gaps early on, ensuring a level playing field for students from diverse academic backgrounds. This focused training allows for a seamless transition into professional roles—providing the expertise and confidence required to excel immediately in academic labs, clinical settings, the biotech/pharma industry, or the data science sector.
Steering Committee
At the heart of MISI is a dedicated Steering Committee of four accomplished scientists who are personally invested in the success of every student. Whether within the Scientific Committee or the Monitoring Committee, they will ensure that the programme is a transformative journey, offering mentorship that draws from their extensive backgrounds in basic and clinical immunology, and systems biology.
Director Immunology Service
Computational Biologist
Full professor and Researcher
Researcher
International Advisory Board
Complementing our core leadership is the International Advisory Board, composed of four distinguished experts, who serve as MISI’s bridge to the global landscape, providing strategic counsel that keeps our curriculum at the forefront of biomedical research and innovation.
University of Vigo
Champalimaud Foundation
EPFL
Executive Director, CTI
Who is MISI for?
Does any of the following questions resonate with you?
Are you fascinated by the immune system and seek the thrill of scientific discovery?
Are you uneasy with the ‘black box’ of medical AI and want to gain the expertise to critically evaluate and lead new clinical approaches?
Are you impatient with your academic silo and want an education tailored for the convergence of AI technology and biomedicine?
Are you drawn to data science and want to become an on high-demand, biomedically savvy, data analyst?
Are you driven to translate basic knowledge into tangible benefits for patients?
Are you genuinely curious and want to push your intellectual limits at the frontier of biomedical research?
If so, you are exactly who we are looking for. We invite you to apply to MISI.
Applications are open
Applications for the first phase are open from April 13 to July 17, 2026. The deadline is in:
There is plenty of time until the deadline but do not leave your application to the last minute. This is an opportunity to prepare in advance to authenticate in the online application platform, collect all the necessary certificates, and reflect on how to make your application standout with strong recommendation and motivation letters.
Request access credentials. The application submission form requires candidates to sign in and authenticate. Candidates who have been at the University of Porto already have the credentials. For all the other candidates applications start by filling in a user request form. Do not leave this to the last minute. Make sure you can successfully authenticate in advance.
Administrative and formal requisites. Ready very carefully all the formal and administrative requisites that can be found in the Information System of the University of Porto in the button below.
Certificates. Make sure you gather digital versions of all the required documents and certificates in advance. Failing to provide any of the required documents will invalidate your application.
Curriculum vitae. Write your CV in an informative and comprehensive manner. Make sure that all your academic merits are presented and your achievements highlighted. Include all the relevant academic, research, or professional activities. Include anything that will make you stand out. Guarantee that the objective declarations in your CV are corroborated by the certificates you provide and/or by the recommendation letters.
Motivation letter. The Selection Committee would like to know you, to discover your past achievements, and understand what your future plans are. They want to know why you aspire to join the MISI, and whether or not the MISI is a solid stepping stone towards your objectives. The Committee would like to ensure that you will enjoy and get the most of the MISI and the Master programme will help you develop to your full potential. So, help the Selection Committee by writing a letter that is personal and informative, a letter that makes you stand out. Do not repeat in your letter the texts of MISI’s website or announcements. The Committee knows what is in there because they wrote it. Feel free to use your favourite LLM to proofread your letter, but bear in mind that LLMs produce the similar common places and hyperbole in response to the same prompts. They also tend to oversell you. Whatever you do with your LLM make sure that the final letter is genuine, honest, distinctive, capturing and bringing forth your uniqueness. In other words, make sure that the letter is your letter. The uncritical use of LLM can be penalised.
Recommendations. You will have to submit a Recommendation Form providing the Selection Committee with contacts of up to three references, who can write recommendation letters upon request. Do not take that this lightly—they will be your advocates. Choose personalities who know you well and admire you, who can write letters that are personal, well-informed and make you stand out among other applicants. Good examples, are people like tutors, internship supervisors, mentors, or faculty members who were impressed by your performance. Lukewarm letters with platitudes will do you a disservice (e.g. “I remember her from my classes” or “he was assiduous”). Ask your references in advance if they can spare the time to write a letter when requested to do so by the Selection Committee. Make sure that they expect an email from the MISI’s Selection Committee and ask them if they have received in due time. Ask them to check their spam folder and look from messages from the Selection Committee . It is your responsibility to make sure that your references are responsive.
The list of frequently asked questions is naturally in progress. If you don’t find a satisfactory answer to your questions contact us through the emails below.
International students may want to check the FAQ at the University of Porto
You can always address any questions to us by e-mail at these two addresses, misi being more appropriate for specific questions and curiosities about the MISI and postgrad for inquiries that are transversal to the graduate school and common to any programme. But we will get back to you in any case.
Candidate Selection
Selection of the candidates has two phases. The first phase is based on the analysis of the documents that constitute the application, including the CV, motivation letter, and recommendation letters. The second phase, is based on an interview. The selection committee will be composed by the Steering Committee.
More Information
Browsing this website gives a birdseye perspective of MISI and its governance. More detailed academic and administrative information about MISI as a Master degree of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, ICBAS, can be found on the centralised information system of the University of Porto, called SIGARRA. There you can find the academic and administrative details about the degree, faculty, curricular units, and associated ECTS. You can also find the access to the online application form as well as all the rules and legislation that apply to MISI.
Your journey will start in Porto
MISI is hosted at the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, ICBAS, a vibrant multidisciplinary hub within the University of Porto. Renowned for its “One Health” philosophy, ICBAS offers an intimate, collaborative environment located in the heart of the city, right next to the lush Crystal Palace gardens and featuring a breathtaking view over the Douro River. As a student here, you are part of Portugal’s top-tier research community, gaining access to world-class facilities and a network of global innovators.
But the MISI experience is not contained within the classroom or the laboratory. Porto is a city where history meets a high-octane, youthful energy. From the legendary riverside sunsets and the city’s famous culinary scene to its thriving arts district and the surf-ready Atlantic beaches, Porto offers a quality of life that is hard to match. Whether you are navigating the historic Ribeira or the vibrant nightlife at “Baixa”, you will quickly discover that Porto isn’t just a place to study—it’s a place to live.
