CAREER: Molecular Imaging Training Program

0953583 TsourkasThe本提案的总体目标是为本科生和研究生建立一个协同的，多学科的研究和教育计划，将提供课堂教育，独立研究和教学之间的直接联系。该计划的基本主题将是“分子成像”，它将整合讲座和实验室为基础的学习。以讲座为基础的部分将集中在一个核心课程，旨在向参加培训计划的学生介绍分子成像的基础知识。此外，还将举办关于“分子成像和靶向治疗”的每月研讨会和关于同一主题的每周期刊俱乐部。本科生和研究生的研究计划将侧重于开发两种互补的生物发光探针，分别用于程序性细胞死亡（PCD）和细胞增殖的非侵入性实时成像。将在培养物和鼠肿瘤模型中评价这些生物发光传感器的灵敏度、特异性和动态范围。拟议的研究计划是专门设计的，拥有明确的目标，为本科生和研究生。本科项目是独立的，但补充那些由研究生进行的，是为了建立一个基于问题的学习和增加责任的设置，同时培养一个协作的氛围。关于智力优点;它已被发现，几乎所有的疾病都与失调的稳态。用于PCD和细胞增殖的生物发光探针可用于推进广泛的生物学科中的知识和理解。应用可能包括监测干细胞的命运和功能，在组织工程植入物或基于细胞的治疗，进行高通量筛选的治疗化合物的活细胞或斑马鱼，实时评估环境，机械和/或化学线索的毒性或刺激作用，或确定疗效的治疗化合物在培养或在疾病的鼠模型。

0953583TsourkasThe overall objective of this proposal is to establish a synergistic, multidisciplinary research and educational program for undergraduate and graduate students that will provide direct links between classroom education, independent research, and teaching. The underlying theme for this program will be "Molecular Imaging" and it will integrate both lecture- and laboratory-based learning. The lecture-based component will center on a core curriculum that is designed to introduce students enrolled in the training program to the fundamentals of molecular imaging. This will be complemented with monthly seminars on "Molecular Imaging and Targeted Therapeutics" and a weekly journal club on the same topic. The undergraduate and graduate research plan will focus on developing two complementary bioluminescent probes that will allow for the non-invasive, real-time imaging of programmed cell death (PCD) and cell proliferation, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and dynamic range of these bioluminescent sensors will be evaluated in culture and in murine tumor models. The proposed research plan has been specifically designed to possess well-defined objectives for both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate projects are independent but complementary to those performed by graduate students and are meant to establish a setting for problem-based learning and increased responsibility, while simultaneously fostering a collaborative atmosphere.With regards to Intellectual Merit; It has been found that nearly all diseases have been associated with the deregulation of homeostasis. The bioluminescent probes for PCD and cell proliferation can be used to advance knowledge and understanding in a wide range of biological disciplines. Applications might include monitoring stem cell fate and function in tissue engineered implants or in cell-based therapies, performing high-throughput screening of therapeutic compounds on live cells or zebra fish, evaluating the toxic or stimulating effects of environmental, mechanical, and/or chemical cues in realtime, or determining the efficacy of therapeutic compounds in culture or in murine models of disease.