Experimental Genetics of the Laboratory Mouse in Cancer Research

描述(申请人提供)：癌症是一组基因复杂和生物异质性的疾病。越来越清楚的是，实验室小鼠是人类最好的基因定义的实验模式生物，它为理解癌症的遗传基础提供了一个快速进步的重大机会。因此，在老鼠遗传学、基因组学和生物学方面进行广泛培训的工具是实现这一目标的关键。我们课程的总体目标是培训年轻的科学家(博士后、博士后实习生和新的研究人员)，并重新培训现有的研究人员，如何使用基因定义的实验室小鼠作为遗传工具，询问关于基因功能和遗传学在癌症中的作用的问题。完成课程的学生将获得以下实用知识：(1)小鼠遗传学和基因组学，(2)生长控制和癌症，(3)实验设计和统计遗传学在复杂性状分析中的应用，(4)生物信息学，(5)动物健康和与小鼠合作的伦理考虑，(6)小鼠手术的基本技术，(7)活体成像和(8)人类癌症的小鼠模型。将强调如何使用鼠标将基础研究转化为临床研究。 这些目标将通过向30名因其杰出的研究潜力而被选中的学生提供为期10天的强化课程来实现。他们将与来自杰克逊实验室和其他机构的一群著名的老鼠遗传学家和生物学家进行互动。学生注册人数被故意保持在较小的水平，以实现理想的师生互动水平。该课程将于每年8月的最后两周在海滨会议中心HighSea举行，该中心是杰克逊实验室的海滨会议中心，既是课程演示的地点，也是学生和教职员工住宿的地点。讲座、讨论、研讨会和演示在上午、下午和晚上举行，总共有大约80个小时的授课和动手培训。 杰克逊实验室是美国国家癌症研究所指定的癌症中心，在举办高级课程和科学会议方面有着悠久的历史。本申请所述的“实验小鼠在癌症研究中的实验遗传学”课程自1992年起每年举办一次。 与人类健康相关：实验室小鼠是一种强大的遗传工具，将继续在了解癌症的遗传基础以及预测新的和现有疗法的临床安全性和有效性方面发挥深远的作用。像这样的短期课程是培养治愈这种疾病所需的高技能年轻研究人员队伍所必需的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cancer is a genetically complex and biologically heterogeneous group of disorders. It has become increasingly clear that the laboratory mouse, the best genetically defined experimental model organism for humans, presents a major opportunity for rapid advancement in understanding the genetic basis of cancer. Therefore, tools for broad-based training in mouse genetics, genomics and biology is critical to meet this end. The overall goal for our course is to train young scientists (predoctoral, postdoctoral trainees, new investigators) and to re-train established investigators in the use of genetically defined laboratory mice as genetic tools for asking questions about gene function and the role of genetics in cancer. Students completing the course will acquire a working knowledge of: (1) mouse genetics and genomics, (2) growth control and cancer, (3) experimental design and the application of statistical genetics to complex trait analysis, (4) bioinformatics, (5) animal health and ethical considerations in working with mice, (6) basic mouse surgical techniques, (7) in vivo imaging and (8) mouse models for human cancer. How the mouse is used in the translation of basic research to the clinic will be emphasized. These Aims will be accomplished by offering an intensive 10-day course to 30 students chosen for their outstanding research potential. They will interact with a group of prominent mouse geneticists and biologists both from The Jackson Laboratory and other institutions. Student enrollment is kept deliberately small to achieve the desired level of student-faculty interaction. The course will be held annually during the last 2 weeks of August in a retreat setting at Highseas, The Jackson Laboratory's oceanfront conference center that is the site both for the course presentations and residential accommodations for the students and faculty. Lectures, discussions, workshops, and demonstrations are held mornings, afternoons, and evenings for a total of approximately 80 hours of didactic and hands-on training. The Jackson Laboratory is an NCI-designated Cancer Center and has a long history of hosting advanced courses and scientific meetings. The course on "Experimental Genetics of the Laboratory Mouse in Cancer Research" described in this application has been held annually since 1992. Relevance to Human Health: The laboratory mouse is a powerful genetic tool that will continue to play a profound role in understanding the genetic basis of cancer, and in predicting clinical safety and efficacy of new and existing therapies. Short courses such as these are required to develop the cadre of highly skilled young investigators that will be needed to cure this disease.