Breathing Research and Therapeutics (BREATHE)

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT We propose renewed funding of the Breathing Research and Therapeutics (BREATHE) Training Program at the University of Florida (UF). This combined predoctoral and postdoctoral training program, which began in 2017, is focused on the respiratory neuromuscular system, emphasizing discovery of new knowledge and its translation to severe clinical disorders that compromise breathing capacity, stability and airway defense. In just over 4 years, with a “ramp-up” of 2 years, we established an internationally known training program with a “unique focus, unlike any other” (quote from anonymous NIH reviewer); we are unaware of any other T32 with a similar concentration on breathing and airway defense in traumatic, ischemic, infectious or degenerative clinical disorders, despite their high cumulative prevalence and importance. Nine predoctoral and 7 postdoctoral trainees have been funded through the BREATHE training program, including those supported by institutional match funds; all graduates thus far have continued in academic, biomedical or research positions (eg. assistant professor, clinical research director, K99 awardee, postdoc fellows, grant writer). We successfully recruited demographically and scientifically diverse trainees (56% women, 31% underrepresented groups, 44% clinically qualified, 19% engineering backgrounds). In this renewal application, we seek funds to continue building and refining this unique program, with the goal of training the next generation of scientists devoted to preserving and restoring breathing and airway defense in clinical disorders that most often end life by respiratory failure. Our intent is to establish a cohort of respiratory scientists with diverse backgrounds capable of engaging in basic discovery and/or clinical/translational research, with the necessary background and skills to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams. BREATHE emphasizes training in respiratory neural and muscle plasticity, and development of new therapeutic strategies to treat patients with compromised breathing capacity, stability and/or airway defense. Our objectives are: 1) recruit a diverse cohort of high-quality basic science and clinical predoctoral (3/year) and postdoctoral (4/year) trainees with an interest in breathing research and therapeutics, and potential for independent research careers; 2) implement a carefully designed training program that provides predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees with solid foundations in respiratory biology, airway defense and translational research, and the technical, analytical and professional skills necessary for productive research careers; and 3) foster an interdisciplinary, collaborative research environment conducive to preparing scientists for successful careers in interdisciplinary research. The UF environment includes collaborative faculty mentors with diverse and complementary expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, ongoing translational research partnerships and a rich menu of career development opportunities. Our renewal application builds on proven elements, with an emphasis on being responsive to the rapidly changing landscape of respiratory research.