If you are looking for a PhD scholarship in Italy and your background is in cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, biomedical science, metabolism, or disease research, this opportunity at Sapienza University of Rome deserves serious attention.
Sapienza University of Rome has listed a PhD scholarship research project under the Cell and Developmental Biology PhD Programme for the 2026 XLII Cycle. The project focuses on extracellular lipid droplets from lipid-storing cells as a novel mechanism of cell-to-cell communication. It is supervised by Dr. Stefano Tacconi at Sapienza University of Rome, with Dr. Sophie Rome of the CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM-INRAE, University of Lyon as co-supervisor.
This is a strong opportunity for students who want to build a research career in cell biology, extracellular vesicles, lipid droplets, lipid metabolism, inflammation, metabolism, cancer biology, and disease mechanisms.
Sapienza University of Rome PhD Scholarship Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Host University | Sapienza University of Rome |
| Country | Italy |
| Department | Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “C. Darwin” |
| PhD Programme | Cell and Developmental Biology |
| Academic Year | 2026/2027 |
| Cycle | 42nd Cycle |
| Research Area | Extracellular lipid droplets and cell-to-cell communication |
| Supervisor | Dr. Stefano Tacconi |
| Co-supervisor | Dr. Sophie Rome |
| Scholarship Type | PhD scholarship research project |
| Qualification Evaluation | July 1, 2026 |
| Oral Exam | July 7, 2026 |
| Application Platform | Sapienza InfoStud |
| Contact | stefano.tacconi@uniroma1.it |
About the Sapienza University PhD Scholarship
This Sapienza University of Rome PhD scholarship is for students who want to work on a highly specialized biomedical research topic.
The project is centered on extracellular lipid droplets, also known as ex-LDs. Lipid droplets are usually understood as structures inside cells that store fats. But this project looks at a newer and more interesting question: what if lipid droplets can also move outside cells and help cells communicate with one another?
That is the core of this PhD research.
The project will investigate whether lipid-storing cells can release lipid droplets into the extracellular environment, how this process happens, what these extracellular lipid droplets contain, and how they may affect other cells, especially immune cells.
This matters because cell communication is central to how the body responds to stress, inflammation, metabolism, and disease. If lipid droplets are not just storage units but also signaling particles, then this research could help open a new path in understanding metabolic diseases, immune regulation, inflammation, and cancer.
Research Focus
The official research title is:
Exploring extracellular lipid droplets from lipid-storing cells as a novel mechanism of cell-to-cell communication
The project sits at the intersection of cell biology, extracellular vesicles, lipid biology, immune regulation, metabolism, inflammation, and cancer research.
Extracellular vesicles are already known to move lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids between cells. This project takes the discussion further by studying the role of lipid droplets and triacylglycerols in intercellular communication. The project proposal explains that extracellular vesicles can transfer biological materials between cells and influence physiological and pathological processes. It also highlights that the role of extracellular vesicles in lipid transfer is still an emerging research area.
For a PhD student, this means the research is not just routine laboratory work. You will be contributing to a question that is still developing in biomedical science.
What You Will Work On
The selected PhD student will study how lipid droplets are secreted, how they can be isolated, and how they affect recipient cells.
The project will focus on four major research goals.
First, you will help establish strong and reproducible methods to isolate extracellular lipid droplets.
Second, you will determine the composition of extracellular lipid droplets and compare them with lipid droplets found inside cells.
Third, you will investigate whether lipid droplet secretion is common across different cell types and species, especially in a cancer-related context.
Fourth, you will study whether extracellular lipid droplets help transfer triacylglycerols and phospholipids into recipient cells, particularly immune cells.
In simple language, the PhD is about understanding how fat-storing cell structures may become messengers between cells.
Why This Research Is Important
This project is important because it could change how researchers understand lipid droplets.
For many years, lipid droplets were mainly seen as storage structures. They store neutral lipids and help cells manage energy. But newer research is showing that lipid droplets may have more active roles in disease, stress response, inflammation, and cell signaling.
The project proposal explains that fatty acid overload can push THP-1 macrophages toward a LAM-TREM2 phenotype, with lipid droplet accumulation. It also notes that these macrophages may export lipid droplets into the extracellular environment. That raises a major research question: can these exported lipid droplets influence other cells?
This is where the project becomes exciting.
If extracellular lipid droplets can influence recipient cells, they may help explain new mechanisms linking lipid homeostasis, inflammation, metabolism, and cancer. For students who want meaningful biomedical research, this is the kind of project that can lead to strong publications and deeper scientific contribution.
About the Cell and Developmental Biology PhD Programme
The scholarship is under Sapienza’s Cell and Developmental Biology PhD Programme.
The programme trains researchers in major areas of modern biology, including cell biology, neurobiology, microbiology, functional genomics, proteomics, immunopathology, plant physiology, bioinformatics, extracellular vesicles, oncopathology, and drug development.
This is useful for you as an applicant because the research environment is broad. You are not entering a narrow programme with only one direction. You are entering a PhD environment where cell biology connects with molecular medicine, biotechnology, diagnostics, disease research, and translational science.
Sapienza also states that the programme prepares graduates for research and development roles in academic research, medical biotechnology, agri-food biotechnology, diagnostics, pharmaceutical sciences, hospitals, clinical research centres, biotech companies, and scientific research agencies.
Who Should Apply?
You should consider applying if you have a master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant life science field.
Sapienza states that PhD programmes are open to applicants who hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree obtained abroad. The Italian PhD is a three-year research degree that requires assigned research activities and a final dissertation.
This opportunity is especially suitable for applicants with a background in:
- Cell biology.
- Molecular biology.
- Biotechnology.
- Biochemistry.
- Biomedical science.
- Metabolism research.
- Immunology.
- Cancer biology.
- Extracellular vesicle research.
- Lipid biology.
- Molecular medicine.
You do not need to pretend to know everything already. What matters is that your academic background, research interest, and motivation fit the project. If you have experience in cell culture, microscopy, flow cytometry, molecular biology techniques, lipid research, vesicle isolation, imaging, or data analysis, make it visible in your application.
Scholarship Value and Funding
Sapienza’s general PhD scholarship amount is €16,243 gross per year, equal to €1,353.58 gross per month. For authorized research periods abroad, Sapienza provides a 50 percent increase, bringing the monthly gross amount during the approved abroad period to €2,021.10.
Sapienza also provides operating funds for PhD research activities in Italy and abroad, including support connected to research mobility, conferences, seminars, consumables, and other activities needed for the PhD programme.
As with every PhD scholarship, applicants should confirm the exact financial package for this specific position during the application process.
International Research Link With the University of Lyon
One strong part of this opportunity is the international research connection.
The project has a co-supervisor at the CarMeN Laboratory, INSERM-INRAE, University of Lyon, which gives the research a clear international link between Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Lyon.
Sapienza also supports joint thesis supervision arrangements. Under this system, a PhD student may carry out research periods between Sapienza and a partner university, subject to approval and a formal agreement. Sapienza states that joint thesis supervision can be activated within 18 months from the start of the PhD programme and can lead to a dual degree where the agreement is properly established.
For students who want a PhD in Europe with international exposure, this is a valuable advantage.
Application Timeline
The official Sapienza programme page for Cell and Developmental Biology 2026/2027 lists the qualification evaluation date as July 1, 2026, and the oral examination date as July 7, 2026.
This means you should prepare early. PhD applications are not something to rush in the final week.
You need time to prepare your CV, motivation letter, academic documents, research fit statement, and any supporting evidence of laboratory or research experience.
How to Apply
To apply for this Sapienza University of Rome PhD scholarship, you should use the official Sapienza application system.
Sapienza instructs PhD applicants to enter the InfoStud platform, select PhD Programmes, and follow the application instructions. New applicants must register first, while already registered users can sign in with their credentials.
Before submitting your formal application, it is also wise to contact the supervisor because Sapienza specifically encourages candidates interested in research lines to contact the project proposers for further information.
Contact:
Dr. Stefano Tacconi
Email: stefano.tacconi@uniroma1.it
When sending your email, be specific. Mention the project title and explain your background briefly. Do not send a generic message that looks like it was copied to fifty professors.
Documents You Should Prepare
Start preparing your documents early.
You may need:
Academic CV.
Motivation letter.
Master’s degree certificate or equivalent.
Academic transcripts.
Research statement or statement of purpose.
Thesis summary.
Evidence of laboratory experience.
Publications, if available.
English language proof, if required.
Reference letters, if requested in the official call.
Your motivation letter should show why you are interested in extracellular lipid droplets, extracellular vesicles, lipid metabolism, cell-to-cell communication, inflammation, metabolism, or disease mechanisms.
Do not just say you want a PhD scholarship in Italy. That is too weak.
Show that you understand the research direction. Explain how your background connects to the project. Mention relevant techniques, coursework, thesis work, publications, or laboratory experience.
Why You Should Apply Early
This is a competitive research opportunity because it is attached to Sapienza University of Rome, one of Italy’s leading universities, and it is linked to an active biomedical research area.
A project like this is best for applicants who are serious about research. If you are only looking for “any scholarship abroad,” this may not be the right fit. But if you are interested in cell biology, biotechnology, extracellular vesicles, lipid droplets, metabolism, inflammation, and disease research, then this is exactly the type of PhD project you should pursue.
The stronger your research fit, the better your chances.
Final Note
The Sapienza University of Rome PhD Scholarship 2026 in Italy is a strong opportunity for students who want to pursue advanced research in Cell and Developmental Biology.
The project focuses on extracellular lipid droplets and their possible role in cell-to-cell communication. It connects Sapienza University of Rome with the University of Lyon through international co-supervision and offers a valuable route for students interested in biomedical science, metabolism, inflammation, cancer biology, extracellular vesicles, and molecular research.
If your background fits this area, prepare your documents early, contact the supervisor with a focused email, and apply through the Sapienza InfoStud platform before the admission process closes.
