Genetics and Genomics of Muscle Postdoctoral Training Program

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 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A renewal for a training grant (T32) for post-doctoral fellows in Genetics and Genomics of Muscle is described. Training faculty is drawn from Children's National Medical Center, NIH intramural program, and George Washington University. Research and training topics focus on understanding muscle tissue in health and disease (dystrophy and damage), with an emphasis on genome-enabled approaches and translational research. Lab bench-based technological training includes state-of-art research methods such as genomics, proteomics, epigenomics, biomarker discovery and validation, drug development and pre-clinical efficacy and toxicity. This technological bench training is heavily augmented with training in bioinformatics and statistics, and appropriate conduct of research. Unique opportunities for trainees include integration into neuromuscular clinical training at both NIH NINDS and CNMC (2/9 previous awardees), ABMG certification (1/9), and training in clinical trials and outcome measures in the CINRG group and NIH intramural program (2/9). Training in private-public partnerships, industry spin-offs, intellectual property development, and regulatory science are also key strengths of the T32. The T32 program is bolstered through synergism by a strong foundation of federally-funded Center and Core grants on muscle translational research led by Training Faculty that provide rich core facilities and pilot funding opportunities for the T32 fellows. These include a Center of Research Translation (NIAMS P50), National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NICHD/NINDS R24), Research in Pediatric Developmental Pharmacology (NICHD U54), CINRG clinical trial network (NIAMS RO1s and DoD grants on outcome measures), Mouse Pathobiology (NIH OD R26), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (NICHD P30), and pediatrics-focused CTSA (NCATS). The initial award filled all available slots through a highly competitive process, with fellows publishing high impact papers, and all graduates retained in independent academic biomedical research positions, including an endowed chair leading a muscular dystrophy program, and head of a molecular diagnostics laboratory. ~30% of trainees were physician/scientists - a stated goal of the original training program. We will train 2 postdoctoral M.D. trainee and 4 postdoctoral Ph.D. trainees in Yr01; 2 postdoctoral M.D. trainees and 5 postdoctoral Ph.D. trainees in Yrs02 through Yr05. A total of 14 postdoctoral trainees will be appointed to this T-32 program over the 5 year funding cycle. At completion, the T32 postdoctoral fellows will be able to independently complete research projects, collaborate in multi-disciplinary research projects, publish research results, apply for independent funding, and successfully interview in academic, pharmaceutical and biomedical research institutions.