Training in Mouse and Molecular Genetics of the Eye

描述（由申请人提供）：通过在分子水平上理解基因功能，生物医学科学发生了革命性的变化。实验小鼠已经并将继续在阐明与视觉系统的正常发育和维持以及病理相关的基因功能和途径方面发挥关键作用。然而，很少有专门培训分子遗传学家使用小鼠模型进行视觉研究的项目。杰克逊实验室申请资助建立一个NEI博士后培训项目，重点研究小鼠和分子遗传学在视觉研究中的应用。TJL研究人员的七名成员组成了一个跨学科的培训导师池，他们正在使用经典和尖端的分子遗传学方法研究小鼠眼睛发育和遗传性眼部疾病的各个方面。在遗传定义的动物模型中进行的实验工作提供了测试有关疾病遗传基础的假设和模拟新的诊断和治疗方式的机会。这些类型的分析是由于实验室无与伦比的特殊近交、自发和诱导突变小鼠资源基础的可用性而成为可能。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Biomedical science has been revolutionized by understanding gene function at the molecular level. The laboratory mouse has and will continue to playa key role in elucidating gene function and pathways involved in normal development and maintenance, and pathology of the visual system. Yet there are few programs dedicated to training molecular geneticists in the use of mouse models for vision research. The Jackson Laboratory requests funding to establish a NEI postdoctoral training program focused on mouse and molecular genetics in vision research. Seven members of the TJL Research Staff form an interdisciplinary pool of trainee preceptors who are investigating various aspects of eye development and heritable ocular diseases in the mouse using classical and cutting edge molecular genetic approaches. Experimental work in genetically-defined animal models provides the opportunity to test hypotheses regarding the genetic basis of disorders and to model new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. These types of analyses are made possible by the availability of the Laboratory's unparalleled resource base of special inbred, spontaneous and induced-mutant mice. This new NEI Training Grant requests two postdoctoral positions for the first two years and three, thereafter. Trainees devote their major effort to bench research, and are integrated into TJL seminars, courses, workshops, and research interest groups. They are required to write fellowship applications, and present their results annually, both at in-house interest groups and national or international meetings. Their progress is overseen by a formal Training Committee, each member of which acts as an informal mentor, or liaison, for several trainees. Upon completion of training, participants will be qualified to engage in creative, independent research in vision sciences at a university, research institution, or in industry. The primary training facility is The Jackson Laboratory, a private, independent research center. TJL is a NIH Basic Cancer Research Center, and has held NIH research training grants continuously since 1956