RaMP: Post-Baccalaureate Training Program in Biomolecular Structure Prediction and Design

在预测生物分子结构的计算方法方面的最新进展使设计出同样复杂的聚合物用于研究、生物技术、材料和纳米技术成为可能。新兴的人工智能方法放大了计算工作的力量，并增加了对受过生物分子结构计算培训的人的需求。该项目将为学员提供严格的、跨学科的、协作的生物分子结构预测和设计研究培训。代码学校、实验室研究和定期指导等活动将提供在STEM取得成功所必需的技术和沟通技能方面的培训。与历来被STEM排除在外的社区进行接触，将确保这一不断增长的领域能够为广大人口所接受。该计划将建立一支多样化的STEM劳动力队伍，这是迫切需要的，因为人工智能方法继续对分子生物学和生物工程领域产生巨大影响。生物分子结构计算研究可以预测蛋白质、核酸及其复合体的三维结构。该计划将在三年内每年为八名毕业后学员(“参与者”)提供严格的、跨学科的、合作的生物分子结构预测和设计研究培训。它将(1)发展毕业后参与者的技术研究技能和专业能力技能，包括沟通和毅力，以及增强参与者的科学认同感、自我效能感和归属感的经验；(2)提高毕业后学者过渡到研究生水平学术课程的容易程度，因为他们在申请和进入这些课程时将更加准备和得到支持；(3)通过改进指导的结构化领导培训，在大罗塞塔公地社区内建立紧密的导师和导师网络；以及(4)扩大生物分子研究生项目申请者的范围，以包括更多来自历史上被STEM排除在外的背景和社区的个人。 该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Recent advances in computational methods that predict the structures of biological molecules enable the design of equally intricately structured polymers for their use in research, biotechnology, materials, and nanotechnology. Emerging artificial intelligence approaches amplify the power of the computational work and have increased demand for people with training in biomolecular structure computations. This project will provide to the trainees rigorous, interdisciplinary, collaborative research training in biomolecular structure prediction and design. Activities such as a code school, laboratory research and regular mentoring will afford training in the technical and communication skills necessary for success in STEM. Outreach to communities historically excluded from STEM will ensure that this growing field is accessible to a broad demographic. The program will build a diverse STEM workforce, which is critically needed as artificial intelligence methods continue to dramatically impact the fields of molecular biology and bioengineering. Biomolecular computational structure research allows prediction of three-dimensional structures of proteins, nucleic acids, and their complexes. The program will provide rigorous, interdisciplinary, collaborative research training in biomolecular structure prediction and design to eight post-baccalaureate trainees (“participants”) in each of three years. It will (1) develop post-baccalaureate participants' technical research skills and professional power skills, including communication and perseverance, with experiences that enhance participants’ scientific identity, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging; (2) increase post-baccalaureate scholars’ ease of transition into graduate level academic programs, in that they will be more prepared and supported when applying for and entering those programs, (3) create a tight knit network of mentors and mentees within the greater Rosetta Commons community through structured leadership training in improved mentoring; and (4) expand the pool of biomolecular graduate program applicants to include more individuals from backgrounds and communities historically excluded from STEM. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.