Training of Arthritis Research Scientists

摘要 风湿性和自身免疫性疾病仍然知之甚少，难以管理和治疗，而且经常 导致严重的发病率和死亡率。这种现状只有通过专注于研究才能改变 在已产生的知识的基础上建立和发展的努力，重新评估当前的教条， 并利用跨学科协作方法有效地理解这些复杂性 多系统疾病。基因组学、表观基因组学和系统生物学领域无与伦比的科学发展 从根本上提高了我们对人类生物学的认识，并产生了丰富的数据和独特的 有机会全面研究人类自身免疫性疾病的潜在机制。此外， 临床科学的进步为改善患者结果创造了出色的研究机会。 这笔培训补助金的目标是为下一代研究人员做好独立的准备 研究人员，并领导未来的努力，以改善受风湿病和自身免疫影响的患者的护理 疾病。这将通过选择最有前途的博士后实习生候选人来实现，以及 为他们提供至少两年的拟议培训期间的知识和技能，以使他们做好准备 为了独立。我们的培训计划每年将包括4名内科科学家或科学家，并将 通过精心设计的个性化教学体验和有组织的指导，为他们做好准备 专注于科学和职业发展。此外，我们的计划将为学员的独立做好准备 通过科学写作、勇气和领导技能方面的培训。这一培训计划将是 由Amr Sawalha博士执导，David Fox博士和Dinesh Khanna博士担任副主任。总而言之，这 培训补助金领导力，由一个外部咨询委员会提供支持，该委员会包括4名具有 丰富的工作效率和指导经验，提供一套互补的专业知识，以确保 成功的指导计划侧重于基础研究、翻译研究和临床研究。培训计划 促进跨学科研究，这从一批经验丰富的项目教师导师名单中可见一斑 横跨15个不同的单元。它得到了丰富多样的研究自身免疫的科学环境的支持 密歇根大学，包括两个由NIH资助的自动免疫卓越中心(ACE)项目-a 基础ACE和临床ACE-证明了我们在基础和临床研究方面的实力。我们的培训 计划将集中于六个主要的科学主题：基因组学、表观基因组学和生物信息学；系统性红斑狼疮 红斑狼疮；炎症性关节炎；系统性硬化症；纤维肌痛和慢性疼痛；以及保健政策 和成果研究。风湿性和自身免疫性疾病的研究人员有很大的需求， 迫切需要确保未来的独立研究人员受到良好的培训和装备，以领导 努力了解这些疾病的复杂性，确定新的治疗方案，并改善患者状况 结果。事实上，我们提议的培训计划全面满足了这些需求。

ABSTRACT Rheumatic and autoimmune diseases remain poorly understood, are difficult to manage and treat, and often result in significant morbidity and mortality. This status quo can only be changed by focusing on research efforts that build upon and advance the knowledge that has been generated, re-evaluating current dogmas, and taking advantage of an interdisciplinary collaborative approach to effectively understand these complex multi-system diseases. Unparalleled scientific expansion in genomics, epigenomics, and systems biology has fundamentally enhanced our understanding of human biology, and generated a wealth of data and a unique opportunity to comprehensively investigate the mechanisms underlying human autoimmune diseases. Further, advances in clinical sciences have created outstanding research opportunities to improve patient outcomes. The goal of this Training Grant is to prepare the next generation of researchers to become independent investigators, and lead future efforts to improve care of patients affected by rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. This will be accomplished by selecting the most promising postdoctoral trainee candidates, and providing them with the knowledge and skills for a proposed training period of at least 2 years to prepare them for independence. Our Training Program will include 4 physician-scientists or scientists each year and will prepare them through a carefully designed individualized didactic experience, with structured mentoring focused on both scientific and career growth. In addition, our program will prepare trainees for independence through training in scientific writing, grantsmanship, and leadership skills. This Training Program will be directed by Dr. Amr Sawalha, with Drs. David Fox and Dinesh Khanna as Associate Directors. Together, this Training Grant leadership, supported by an external advisory committee which includes 4 scientific leaders with extensive productivity and mentoring experience, provides a complementary set of expertise to ensure a successful mentoring program focused on basic, translational, and clinical research. The Training Program fosters interdisciplinary research, which is evident by a roster of experienced Program Faculty mentors spanning 15 different units. It is supported by a rich and diverse scientific environment to study autoimmunity at the University of Michigan, including two NIH-funded Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence (ACE) programs – a Basic ACE and a Clinical ACE – attesting to our strength in both basic and clinical research. Our Training Program will focus on six major scientific themes: genomics, epigenomics, and bioinformatics; systemic lupus erythematosus; inflammatory arthritis; systemic sclerosis; fibromyalgia and chronic pain; and health care policy and outcome research. There is a significant need for researchers in rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, and a pressing need for making sure that future independent researchers are well trained and equipped to lead the effort to understand the complexity of these diseases, identify novel therapeutic options, and improve patient outcomes. Indeed, our proposed Training Program comprehensively addresses these needs.