Interdisciplinary Training in Virology and Gene Therapy

病毒学和基因治疗跨学科培训

• 批准号: 7890451
• 负责人: REN SUN
• 金额: $ 23.79万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-09-01 至 2014-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7890451
• 关键词: Training; gene therapy; virology

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Developments in virology have led to the advancement of several disciplines, including gene therapy. Gene therapy holds promise of therapeutic options for a variety of diseases. The key issue in gene therapy is the development of delivery vehicles. To fulfill the national need, the UCLA Virology and Gene Therapy Training Program aims to provide a unique and outstanding environment for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees pursuing research careers in fields related to gene therapy. This Program will establish a solid training in fundamental virology and its applications in gene therapy. The research interests of our faculty encompass viral entry, viral gene expression regulation, replication of viral genome, cell biology during viral infection, viral particle assembly, viral carcinogenesis and viral immunology, as well as designing novel vectors and tracking viral vectors in vivo. With strong basic research programs on retroviruses, adenoviruses, SV40, hepatitis C, poliovirus, influenza virus and herpesviruses, our faculty has been and will be continuously developing viral vectors from these viruses and monitoring gene expression in vivo using non-invasive imaging technologies. The trainees will be exposed to clinical and diagnostic issues during their training to assist the therapeutic applications of their research projects, and be encouraged to form translational collaborations with basic and clinical mentors. This bridge in training environment will enhance the translation from basic science to clinical application in gene therapy. The training program constitutes 1) original research work with one or more of our faculty; 2) formal course work which provides comprehensive background on virology, gene therapy, and imaging; and 3) regular research conferences and seminars, presented by invited guest speakers, faculty members and trainees. The training committee will select trainees via a competitive process. Appointments are renewable with satisfactory progress (up to three years predoctoral, 2 years postdoctoral). At UCLA, this rigorous training program with emphasis on vertical integration of basic sciences and therapeutic applications produces the scientists required for long-term development of virology and gene therapy. RELEVANCE: One of the most promising fields of medical advancement is gene therapy, in which changes to genes are introduced to correct genetic issues that lead to human disease development, including cancer, AIDS, and immune disorders. Because of the natural ability of viruses to deliver genes to cells in another organism, they are used as the vector to deliver the new genes to a patient. This training program is designed to produce future scientists in the fields of virology and gene therapy that will be able to design, new, more effective virus vectors, understand how to apply these vectors to human diseases and ensure that new gene therapies are available in the future.

描述（由申请人提供）：病毒学的发展导致了几个学科的进步，包括基因治疗。基因疗法有望为多种疾病提供治疗选择。基因治疗的关键问题是运载工具的发展。为了满足国家的需要，加州大学洛杉矶分校的病毒学和基因治疗培训计划旨在为攻读基因治疗相关领域研究的博士生和博士后提供一个独特和优秀的环境。该计划将建立扎实的基础病毒学及其在基因治疗中的应用培训。我们的研究兴趣包括病毒进入，病毒基因表达调控，病毒基因组复制，病毒感染期间的细胞生物学，病毒颗粒组装，病毒致癌和病毒免疫学，以及设计新的载体和体内跟踪病毒载体。我们在逆转录病毒、腺病毒、SV40、丙型肝炎病毒、脊髓灰质炎病毒、流感病毒和疱疹病毒等方面拥有强大的基础研究项目，我们的教师已经并将继续从这些病毒中开发病毒载体，并使用非侵入性成像技术监测基因在体内的表达。学员将在培训期间接触临床和诊断问题，以协助他们的研究项目的治疗应用，并鼓励与基础和临床导师形成转化合作。这个培训环境中的桥梁将促进基因治疗从基础科学到临床应用的转化。培训计划包括：1)与一位或多位教员进行原创性研究工作；2)正式课程，提供病毒学、基因治疗和影像学的全面背景知识；3)定期召开研究会议和研讨会，由特邀嘉宾、教职员工和学员主持。培训委员会将通过竞争选拔学员。在取得令人满意的进展的情况下，可以续期（最多三年的博士预科，两年的博士后）。在加州大学洛杉矶分校，这个严格的培训项目强调基础科学和治疗应用的垂直整合，培养病毒学和基因治疗长期发展所需的科学家。