NC STATE MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM (MBTP)

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Training in molecular biotechnology is essential for an expanding list of disciplines that have found modern biology-based skills of critical importance in pursuing research goals in areas ranging from biochemistry to chemical engineering to plant biology. NC State University uses a Molecular Biotechnology Training Program (MBTP) to foster graduate level training program in modern biology that will involve students from at least 4 colleges and 13 university departments/programs. While the MBTP has excelled in training students to develop the technical skills of molecular biology, the social aspects of biotechnology continue to present a challenge to realizing the transformational opportunities of modern biology. In the shadow of historical controversies over GM food, new technologies of CRISPR-based gene editing and gene drives have raised important questions that reach well beyond our laboratories and into society. Our students need to be prepared for these complexities, and they continue to demonstrate significant interest in gaining communication and conceptual skills that will help them navigate the intersection of biotechnology and society in their future careers. Our faculty trainers share these interests, but lack the background to provide mentoring in this realm. Faculty from the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center (https://research.ncsu.edu/ges/), an interdisciplinary initiative at NC State that focuses on education, research, and outreach, have been addressing the intersection of biotechnology and society for over a decade. MBTP will partner with GES faculty to build on the initial activities and facilitate a workshop series for the 40 active faculty mentors in our MBTP. GES faculty represent a balance between natural and social scientists, thereby providing a holistic perspective on the biotechnology:society nexus and responsible innovation. GES faculty pairs (1 natural scientist; 1 social scientist) will lead eight workshops for MBTP trainers. Workshop themes will address intersections of biotechnology and society, considering how mentors can understand and incorporate social, ethical, and policy issues into their formal and informal interactions with MBTP trainees. The funding requested will be used to develop a framework that can be sustained through the collaboration of the GES and MBTP. Furthermore, we hope to create enthusiasm among the mentors for their trainees to consider completing a minor in Genetic Engineering and Society. NC State now houses several NIH-sponsored training programs and we envision this initiative to be adopted by those programs in future years.