Multidisciplinary Training in Molecular Endocrinology

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案要求继续支持范德比尔特大学的分子内分泌学培训计划（METP）。在理解和治疗肥胖、糖尿病和许多其他疾病方面取得进展，需要培养具有分子内分泌学专业知识的下一代科学家，这也是本项目的目标。现有教职工30人，设6个基础科学系。其中27人是拥有稳定、资金充足的项目和丰富培训经验的资深教师，3人是新的研究人员；其中5位是女性，1位是少数民族，1位是残疾人。这个导师小组组成了一个异常多样化和有才华的个人小组，他们的工作涵盖了分子内分泌学的光谱。这些受体在以下领域进行研究：1)信号转导；2)基因表达的激素调节；3)代谢调节；4)β细胞发育和功能。根据导师指导的研究项目的数量、规模和质量，以及尽管经济形势严峻，该机构仍承诺继续招聘相同水平的培训生，要求稳定的8名博士预科生和4名博士后培训生水平是合理的。所有METP受训者由导师提名后，根据招生委员会的建议任命。博士后研修生具有博士学位。严格的深度研究训练是博士后培养计划的重点。然而，METP也确保所有受训者接受广泛的教学教育。METP的博士前培训遵循跨学科研究生课程（IGP）的培训。IGP招募了范德比尔特大学生物医学科学领域几乎所有的博士预科生，提供了第一个

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal requests continued support for the Molecular Endocrinology Training Program (METP) at Vanderbilt University. Progress towards understanding and curing obesity, diabetes and many other diseases requires the training of the next generation of scientists with expertise in molecular endocrinology, the goal of this program. The METP comprises 30 faculty members in 6 basic science departments. Of this group 27 are established faculty with stable, well-funded programs and substantial training experience and 3 are new investigators; 5 of these preceptors are female, 1 is a minority and 1 is disabled. This preceptor group constitutes a unusually diverse and talented group of individuals whose work covers the spectrum of molecular endocrinology. These preceptors conduct research in the general areas of: 1) signal transduction 2) the hormonal regulation of gene expression, 3) metabolic regulation and 4) beta-cell development and function. The request for a steady state level of 8 predoctoral and 4 postdoctoral trainees is justified on the basis of the number, size and quality of the research programs directed by the preceptors and the Institutional commitment to continue the same level of trainee recruitment despite the tough economic climate. All METP trainees are appointed upon the advice of an Admissions Committee after being nominated by a preceptor. Postdoctoral trainees have a Ph.D. degree. Rigorous in depth research training is the focus of both the pre and postdoctoral training programs. However, the METP also ensures that all trainees receive a broad didactic education. Predoctoral training in the METP follows that received in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP). The IGP recruits almost all predoctoral trainees in the biomedical sciences at Vanderbilt, provides a first year core curriculum, safety training and formal evaluation and career counseling programs. This centralized recruitment has considerably increased the number and quality of predoctoral students that enter Vanderbilt. After four laboratory rotations predoctoral students choose a preceptor for their thesis project and compete for METP support. The IGP and METP have been very successful in promoting diversity and both provide ongoing training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. All METP trainees attend an annual METP Day retreat and the Vanderbilt Diabetes Center (VDC) seminar series where they meet with visiting scientists. In conjunction with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation the METP has recently initiated a novel strategy to increase the recruitment of disabled individuals, specifically undergraduates with type 1 diabetes, through the creation of a VDC funded Summer Diabetes Research Program. The METP has already successfully trained 153 scientists of whom 54 have already gone onto assume academic/pharmaceutical positions with another 34 trainees still in training.