Interdisciplinary Training Program in Cancer Genetics

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a renewal application for a training program designed to produce postdoctoral and predoctoral trainees in Cancer Genetics. A faculty of 15 mentors are providing intensive training in c a n cer genetics, with concentrations in viral carcinogenesis, signal transduction, basic mechanisms of gene expression, cell cycle control, and DNA rearrangement. Particular focus is placed on models relevant to breast cancer and leukemia/lymphoma. Since its inception five years ago, our program has grown to include 10 current students and has already produced one Ph.D. To expand the training opportunities available to researchers interested in careers dedicated to the cancer problem, we have developed a postdoctoral component. These two components are well integrated; trainees in both the predoctoral and postdoctoral programs work on research topics directly related to cancer, receive didactic instruction relevant to the cancer problem and are exposed to issues related to cancer as a disease through interactions with New England Medical Center. The postdoctoral program is built on strong research training, but also contains a didactic component focused on cancer genetics, presentation experiences designed to sharpen communication skills, and direct interaction with clinicians treating cancer patients. Career counseling is built into the program. An Executive Committee of the Cancer Genetics Training Program selects postdoctoral trainees based on graduate research productivity, grades and letters of reference. We expect that trainees who have completed our program will be highly competitive for faculty level positions at academic centers or within the biotechnology industry where they will continue to address the cancer problem. Predoctoral students enrolled in the Genetics Graduate Program may apply to enter the Cancer Genetics Program. To encourage application, all Genetics students are required to take Cancer Genetics. Selection into the Cancer Genetics Program is based on successful completion of the first year of the Genetics Graduate Program, a strong interest in cancer, and selection of a Cancer Genetics training laboratory for dissertation research. Predoctoral training includes didactic courses, laboratory rotations, seminars and workshops, but the core of the training is the dissertation research. Upon graduation, we expect our Ph.D. students to be prepared for postdoctoral research in areas relevant to cancer.