Cellular Engineering Biotechnology Training Program

细胞工程生物技术培训项目

• 批准号: 8794847
• 负责人: BARBARA A OSBORNE
• 金额: $ 8.7万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-07-01 至 2020-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/8794847
• 关键词: Biotechnology; Training Programs; cellular engineering

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Scientists and engineers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMA) are using state-of-the-art tools and approaches in cellular engineering to address key challenges in biotechnology for human health, including production of anti-cancer drugs from cell cultures, transformation of mammalian cells into useful tissues for organ replacement, and design of novel proteins to serve as advanced therapies. UMA has a history of strength in biotechnology, founding the Institute for Cellular Engineering (ICE) as a platform to sustain and develop novel research and training programs. Given the successful track record of ICE training programs, geographic proximity to a leading biotech hub in Boston, and strong institutional support for development of industry-academic collaborations, UMA is ideally positioned to develop an impactful Biotechnology Training Program (BTP). BTP objectives are to: 1) create a scholarly and social infrastructure to facilitate new and strengthen existing interdisciplinary networks at UMA, particularly those at the interface of engineering and the life sciences; 2) educate students in the fundamentals of quantitative biotechnology through new lecture and laboratory courses; 3) train students to appreciate the impact of biotechnology commercially through a tailored industrial internship and regular interactions with industrial personnel; 4) provide students with opportunities to improve interdisciplinary communication, expand career opportunities, and sharpen professional skills; and 5) increase the number of students, particularly those from URM groups, who pursue careers in biotechnology. This BTP will recruit matriculated predoctoral students from five programs (Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science & Engineering, Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Molecular and Cellular Biology). We request six Trainee slots (matched with two slots from UMA). Traineeships will be awarded to students in their 2nd and 3rd years of study, and we will offer an Associate membership for non-funded students to broaden the impact of the program. Students will complete a prescribed curriculum over two years and obtain a graduate certificate in Cellular Engineering. Innovative features include the Biotechnology Core Course that is informed by and co-taught by industry personnel; specialized Laboratory Modules in biotechnology-relevant approaches and techniques modeled after professional industry workshops; student-run Biotechnology Journal Club to break down discipline barriers in a non-threatening atmosphere; a newly designed course in Biostatistics and Statistical Computing to promote math fluency for all Trainees; collaboration with the STEM Diversity Institute to ensure a diverse student population; an annual Symposium on Biotechnology that offers a unique "Speed Dating" experience where students pitch their ideas and receive feedback from industry experts; and targeted partnering with the new UMA Graduate School Office of Professional Development to provide career exploration and planning for our students. We have recruited numerous industrial partners to support a hallmark of our program, a formal internship in which all Trainees will participate.

 描述（由申请人提供）：马萨诸塞州大学阿默斯特分校（UMA）的科学家和工程师正在使用细胞工程中最先进的工具和方法来解决人类健康生物技术中的关键挑战，包括从细胞培养物中生产抗癌药物，将哺乳动物细胞转化为用于器官替代的有用组织，以及设计新型蛋白质作为先进疗法。UMA在生物技术方面有着悠久的历史，成立了细胞工程研究所（ICE），作为维持和开发新型研究和培训项目的平台。鉴于ICE培训计划的成功记录，地理位置接近波士顿领先的生物技术中心，以及对行业-学术合作发展的强大机构支持，UMA非常适合开发有影响力的生物技术培训计划（BTP）。BTP的目标是：1）创建一个学术和社会基础设施，以促进新的和加强 UMA现有的跨学科网络，特别是那些在工程和生命科学的接口; 2）通过新的讲座和实验室课程，教育学生在定量生物技术的基础知识; 3）通过量身定制的工业实习和与工业人员的定期互动，培养学生欣赏生物技术的商业影响; 4）为学生提供机会，以改善跨学科的沟通，扩大就业机会，提高专业技能;和5）增加学生的数量，特别是那些从URM集团，谁追求生物技术的职业生涯。 该BTP将从五个项目（化学工程，化学，高分子科学与工程，兽医与动物科学，分子和细胞生物学）中招收博士预科生。我们申请六个实习生职位（与UMA的两个职位相匹配）。培训将被授予学生在他们的第二和第三年的研究，我们将提供一个非资助的学生，以扩大该计划的影响准会员。学生将在两年内完成规定的课程，并获得细胞工程研究生证书。创新功能包括生物技术核心课程，由行业人员提供信息并共同授课;专业实验室模块，以专业行业研讨会为蓝本，采用生物技术相关方法和技术;学生经营的生物技术期刊俱乐部，在无威胁的气氛中打破学科障碍;新设计的生物统计学和统计计算课程，以促进所有学员的数学流利性;与STEM多样性研究所合作，以确保多样化的学生群体;生物技术年度研讨会，提供独特的“Speed Dating”体验，学生在那里表达自己的想法，并从行业专家那里获得反馈;并与新的UMA研究生院专业发展办公室有针对性地合作，为我们的学生提供职业探索和规划。我们已经招募了众多的行业合作伙伴来支持我们计划的一个标志，即所有学员都将参加的正式实习。