Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Training in Alzheimer's Pathophysiology

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Project Summary/Abstract We proposed creating a highly collaborative pre- and post-doctoral training program in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease and other related neoconservative disorders. Our program is dedicated on advancing pre- and post-doctoral fellows into independent research scientists at research intensive universities and health- related research laboratories. Our trainees will be mentored by members of the Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston. Our highly collaborative faculty reach across multiple departments allowing them to employ a number of experimental approaches to the problems associated with Alzheimer's disease. Our training program incorporates cellular animal models, disease progression mechanisms and pharmacological manipulations, immunotherapeutic approaches targeting tau and amyloid oligomers, synaptic electrophysiology and, DNA damage and repair in neurodegeneration, genetics of synaptic development and degeneration, molecular mechanisms in cognitive resilience, and metabolic determinants of neurodegeneration. A strength of our training program is the investment UTMB has made in developing this highly collaborative team as demonstrated by our joint publications and funded grants. Our four pre-and three post-doctoral trainees will be closely mentored throughout their training. Our pre-doctoral trainees will be required to take several new courses devoted to the cellular signaling in neurodegeneration and the biochemistry and biophysics of amyloid proteins, while our post-doctoral trainees will participate in a certificate program in advanced biomedical research strategies. All trainees will participate in seminars, community building events, journal clubs and active collaborative research training. We have proposed a framework that will enable us to train and mentor both pre- and post-doctoral trainees on their way to becoming independent scientist to help address the Alzheimer’s medical needs of the country.