Predoctoral Training Program in Biomedical Imaging

描述(由申请人提供)： 这项申请寻求支持范德比尔特大学成像科学的全面博士前培训计划，该计划将由经验丰富的专家教职员工和研究人员提供。活体医学成像领域已经从早期用于诊断的简单X射线发展成为用于病人护理和生物结构和功能研究的强大技术概要。生物医学应用中的成像提供了关于组织成分、形态和功能的有价值的信息，以及对许多潜在生物过程的定量描述。持续不断的技术发展将成像的应用扩展到生物学的新领域，例如研究动物的基因表达。迫切需要经过不同技术和模式培训的成像专家，能够将成像与生物学和医学中的应用联系起来，并在成像与生理学、生物结构、新陈代谢以及细胞和分子过程之间建立联系。拟议的计划将在领先的研究医学中心、专门的成像科学研究所以及强大的科学和工程系的背景下提供成像科学方面的研究生培训。我们建议为12名杰出的博士前科学家设计一个全面的培训计划(每两年6名)。我们的目标是招募实习生进入我们现有的生物医学工程、物理学或分子生理学和生物物理学研究生课程。他们将在一个连贯的项目中接受与生物医学成像相关的所有相关领域的全面和示范指导，其中包括23名在多模式生物医学成像及其应用方面经验丰富的博士教师。这将通过一个由课程、研讨会和期刊俱乐部组成的教育计划来实现；一个由教员指导的教程和实践轮换组成的实践计划；以及一个研究计划，在该计划中，受训人员将被纳入一个积极的研究计划。研究机会包括几乎所有主要成像方式的活跃项目，特别是在MRI、MRS、光学和核成像以及图像分析方面。学员将有机会接触到卓越的设施，包括场强为1.5、3和7T的人体磁共振系统；4.7、7和9.4T的动物磁共振系统；包括OCT、生物发光和多光子显微镜在内的多系统光学成像、microCT、microSPECT和microPET。受训者将接受生物医学研究的伦理和方法方面的指导，以及拨款撰写和其他重要职业技能的指导。范德比尔特的项目、人员和设施为博士生提供了独特的机会，让他们接受最高水平的生物医学成像方面的高级培训。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks support for a comprehensive pre-doctoral training program in imaging science at Vanderbilt University which will be provided by an experienced and expert faculty and research staff. The field of in vivo medical imaging has developed from early uses of simple X-rays for diagnosis into a compendium of powerful techniques for patient care and the study of biological structure and function. Imaging in biomedical applications provides valuable information about tissue composition, morphology and function, as well as quantitative descriptions of many underlying biological processes. Continuing technical developments have expanded the applications of imaging to new areas of biology such as the study of gene expression in animals. There is a critical need for imaging specialists trained in different techniques and modalities, and able to relate imaging to applications in biology and medicine, and to make the connections between imaging and physiology, biological structure, metabolism, and cellular and molecular processes. The program proposed would provide graduate training in imaging science within the context of a leading research medical center, and dedicated Institute of Imaging Science, and strong science and engineering departments. We propose a comprehensive training program designed for 12 outstanding predoctoral scientists (6 in each of two years). We aim to recruit trainees into our existing biomedical engineering, physics, or molecular physiology and biophysics graduate programs. They will receive thorough and exemplary instruction in all of the cognate areas relevant to biomedical imaging in a coherent program that includes 23 Ph.D teaching faculty experienced in multimodality biomedical imaging and its applications. This will be accomplished through an educational program, consisting of courses, seminars, and journal clubs; a practical program, consisting of faculty-led tutorials and practical rotations; and a research program, in which trainees will be integrated into an active research program. The research opportunities include active projects in nearly all major imaging modalities and are especially strong in MRI, MRS, optical and nuclear imaging as well as image analysis. Trainees will have access to outstanding facilities including human MR systems with field strengths of 1.5, 3, and 7T; animal MR systems of 4.7, 7, and 9.4T; multi-system optical imaging including OCT, bioluminescence and multi-photon microscopy, microCT, microSPECT and microPET. Trainees will be mentored in the ethics and methods of biomedical research, as well as in grant writing and other important career skills. The programs, personnel, and facilities at Vanderbilt provide unique opportunities for predoctoral students to receive advanced training in biomedical imaging of the highest caliber.