Training Core

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Training Core – Project Summary:The major goals of this MDSRC Training Core are to 1) train the next generation of scientists/clinicians to perform translational research and implement clinical studies in muscular dystrophies (MD), 2) provide educational and outreach activities to patients and their families, and 3) to serve as a liaison between the muscular dystrophy clinical and research communities and patient advocacy organizations. We propose a training core to 1) provide a mentored research training program in translational and clinical research and ethics that will inspire and prepare talented new investigators to address the critical needs of individuals with MD, 2) develop programs that engage researchers in the Pacific Northwest and our affiliates in MD research, and 3) increase awareness in the public and patient communities of MD clinical and related research efforts. The cost of training researchers continues to rise while funding to support training programs has remained stagnant. Our approach to mitigate this issue within our training program will be to leverage other University of Washington (UW) departments/institutes and private sector partners to provide trainee fellowships, and to use established UW resources to provide educational opportunities. Members of our MDSRC are involved in UW’s Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Translational Muscle Research (CTMR), and the Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS); many of us are also part of the Bioengineering, Cardiovascular Training Program (BCTP), Cellular and Molecular Biology Program & the Biochemistry graduate programs, all of which provide trainee programs that we utilize. In addition to an MDSRC-specific symposium highlighting speakers from UW and outside institutions, cross program symposia and training programs will expand the training we can provide our trainees. ITHS’s career development programs, ITHS and Dept of Neurology grant writing programs, and a cross-institute Biomedical Research Integrity program will round out the training for clinician and researchers. Our MDSRC will also initiate an annual workshop open to students/trainees at all levels in all disciplines to educate them on muscular dystrophy and the research we undertake, and we sponsor a seminar series. To encourage interactions between basic scientists and clinicians, our research labs work closely with MDA clinics and clinicians at UW and Seattle Children’s Hospitals (Wang), as well as with the Medical Centers affiliated with Project 2 at the Universities of Kansas (Statland), Nevada (Jones) and Rochester (Tawil). We also organize workshops to bring patients and their families to joint sessions with clinicians and researchers, increasing our outreach and providing a space for patients to educate and impact trainees on their perspectives and concerns. Overall, our plan is to foster an environment of communication, collaboration, and career development mentoring that encourages participation in muscular dystrophy research. This goal will be coupled with outreach and communications to families and by working with patient advocacy groups to disseminate research and clinical updates.