Training in Hypersensitivity and Cancer Immunology

描述(由申请者提供)：该培训计划的目标仍然是为生物医学机构，特别是综合性健康科学中心的研究、服务和教育培训健康科学家。研究培训由主要顾问和咨询委员会指导，包括参加适当的课程、同行评估和各种每周研究会议、期刊俱乐部、研究研讨会和参加国家会议和会议的科学交流。这一计划的一个主要优点是，它通过在免疫学、生物化学、分子遗传学和其他领域的正式指导，在与教学知识发展相关的多学科研究环境中提供培训。该培训计划面向5名博士前实习生，符合该系在超敏反应、抗原处理和癌症免疫学机制方面的专业知识。学员可利用的研究重点包括：肥大细胞和淋巴细胞上结合和脱落的IgE受体的分子和生化分析；触发肥大细胞分化和细胞因子产生的IgE和IgE免疫复合体；肥大细胞分化的机制、肥大细胞衍生的蛋白酶的结构和功能；大麻类化合物和滥用药物改变免疫功能的机制的定义，特别是与宿主对病毒感染的抵抗力；滤泡树突状细胞(FDC)的结构和生化以及FDC与IgE和IgE免疫复合体的相互作用；FDC在艾滋病毒发病中的参与；CD44和免疫毒素在激活诱导细胞死亡中的作用；肿瘤规避机制和肿瘤疫苗策略；粘膜B细胞分化，尤其是转化生长因子的作用；高致病性阿米巴，如福氏奈格利阿米巴对补体介导的溶解产生抵抗的机制；抗原处理的生化，包括免疫复合体在细胞内的运输；参与内毒素激活巨噬细胞的生化事件以及PLA2对巨噬细胞功能的影响；预计培训期限为5年，通过这笔培训赠款提供最多3年的支持。在联合出版物、普通免疫学课程的参与和癌症中心的核心运作中，可以看到大力参与合作研究的证据。参与的教职员工代表了一个特别强大和专注的免疫学家社区，他们将继续提供一个良好的培训环境。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this training program continues to be training health scientists for research, service and education in biomedical institutions, especially comprehensive health science centers. The research training is directed by a major advisor and advisory committee and involves participation in appropriate courses, peer evaluation and scientific interchange in various weekly research meetings, journal clubs, research seminars, and participation in national conferences and meetings. A major strength of this program is that it provides training in a multi-disciplinary research environment in association with development of didactic knowledge through formal instructions in immunology, biochemistry, molecular genetics and other fields. This training program is for five predoctoral trainees and fits into the strength of this department, that being expertise in hypersensitivity, antigen processing and cancer immunology mechanisms. Areas of research emphasis available to trainees include: molecular and biochemical analysis of cell bound and shed IgE receptors on mast cells and lymphocytes; IgE and IgE immune complex triggering of mast cell differentiation and cytokine production; mechanisms of mast cell differentiation, structure and function of mast cell derived proteases; definition of the mechanisms by which cannabinoids and drugs of abuse alter immune functionality especially as it relates to host resistance to virus infections; structure and biochemistry of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and interaction of FDC with IgE and IgE immune complexes; involvement of FDCs in HIV pathogenesis; role of CD44 and immunotoxins in activation induced cell death; tumor evasion mechanisms and tumor vaccine strategies; mucosal B cell differentiation, especially roles of TGF.; mechanisms by which highly-pathogenic ameba such as Naegleria fowleri develop resistance to complement-mediated lysis; biochemistry of antigen processing including intracellular trafficking of immune complexes; biochemical events involved in the activation of macrophages by LPS and effect of PLA2 on macrophage function;. Anticipated duration of training is 5 years with a maximum of three years of support through this training grant. Evidence for a strong involvement in collaborative research is seen in the joint publications, the involvement in the general immunology curricula and in the Cancer Center Core operation. The participating faculty represent an exceptionally strong and focused community of immunologists that will continue to provide an excellent environment for training.