Remapping Clinical Neuroscience through Translation and Innovation Training (ReCoNnecT-IT)

临床科学家在通过患者观察提出新的、深刻的科学问题方面处于独特的地位，然而，他们往往缺乏能够将他们的观察转化为精心设计的基础科学和转化实验的专业知识。造成这种情况的原因可能有很多，但最常见的障碍是缺乏专门的培训、指导、资金和时间。如果这些障碍能够消除，更多的临床科学家可以从事以实验室为基础的转化研究，从而有助于扭转许多神经系统疾病的现状，即基础研究进展越来越快，但转化研究滞后，大多数神经系统疾病患者得不到预防、治疗或治愈。在这里，我们提出了一个研究培训计划，为医学博士或医学博士完成了神经科学相关专业的临床培训，并高度积极地追求在创新的、基于实验室的脑病转化研究中作为医生科学家的职业生涯。ReConNecT-IT（通过翻译和创新培训重新映射临床神经科学）项目包括在1-2名教师导师的密切指导下进行高强度的研究培训。学员设计并进行独立研究项目，当他们过渡到独立支持时，他们可以随身携带，并以此为基础申请NIH k奖。研究项目旨在将神经系统疾病的遗传、分子和细胞病理生理学转化为预防、治疗或治愈的策略。学员将被鼓励从事合作和跨学科的项目，因为这促进了他们的研究发展，并将学科联系起来有助于产生新颖的想法。学员将有机会接触20名核心教师，并可以与其他小组合作。学员将与博士研究人员一起工作，并参加期刊俱乐部、实验室会议和基础科学研讨会。课程包括实验设计、统计方法和定量素养方面的正式培训，以及统计培训主任对统计/定量方法的个性化培训。通过两个学期的课程，学员将了解转化研究中的关键主题，以及如何将基础研究转化为临床试验（以患者为导向的研究）。学生可透过参与工作坊，学习专业技能，并了解就业机会，包括申请k奖、资助及科学写作、学术生涯、求职技巧、实验室及项目管理，以及负责任的研究。ReConNecT-IT的一个独特之处在于，未来的受训者可以在临床培训结束前知道他们的接受情况，从而允许他们在剩余的临床时间内安排研究，从而扩大他们在撰写k奖申请之前将拥有的研究经验总量。该计划的主要预期短期结果是申请NIH K奖或同等补助金。

Clinician-scientists are uniquely positioned to ask new and insightful scientific questions inspired by patient observations, yet, they often lack the expertise to be able to translate their observations into carefully designed basic scientific and translational experiments. There are likely many reasons for this, but the most cited barriers are lack of specific training, mentoring, funding, and time. If these barriers could be removed, more clinician-scientists could pursue careers in laboratory-based translational research, thereby helping to reverse the current state of affairs in many neurological disorders, in which basic research is proceeding at an increasingly rapid pace but translational research is lagging, and most patients with neurological disorders are left without preventions, treatments or cures. Here we propose a research training program for MD-PhDs or MDs who have finished their clinical training in a neuroscience-related specialty and are highly motivated to pursue careers as physician-scientists in innovative, laboratory-based translational research in brain diseases. The ReConNecT-IT (Remapping Clinical Neurosciences through Translation and Innovation Training) program consists of intense research training under the close mentoring of 1-2 faculty mentors. Trainees design and conduct independent research projects that they can take with them when they transition to independent support, and upon which they will base their NIH K-award application. Research projects are directed toward the translation of the genetic, molecular and cellular pathophysiology of neurological diseases into strategies for prevention, treatment or cure. Trainees will be encouraged to pursue projects that are collaborative and cross-disciplinary, as this fosters their research development, and linking disciplines helps generate ideas that are novel. Trainees will have access to 20 core faculty and can collaborate with other groups. Trainees will work alongside PhD researchers and participate in journal clubs, lab meetings and basic science seminars. The curriculum includes formal training in experimental design, statistical methodology and quantitative literacy, and well as individualized training on statistical/quantitative methodology by our Director of Statistical Training. Trainees will gain an understanding of critical topics in translational research and how basic research is translated into clinical trials (patient-oriented research) via two specific, semester-long courses. They will gain professional skill and understand career opportunities by participating in workshops on developing a K-award application, grant and scientific writing, pursuing an academic career, job search skills, laboratory and project management, and responsible conduct of research. A unique feature of ReConNecT-IT is that prospective trainees can know of their acceptance before their clinical training ends, allowing them to schedule research into their remaining clinical time, thereby expanding the total amount of research experience they will have before writing a K-award application. The main expected short-term outcome for this program is application for an NIH K award or equivalent grants.