DNA Damage Response and Oncogenic Signaling

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Project Summary Increases in cancer incidence and rising cancer costs highlight the need to advance cancer biology through the growth of a well-trained workforce. Almost all human cancers have alterations in signaling pathways associated with DNA damage response and oncogenic signaling, and such pathways are also the focus of targeted therapies already in the clinic and under development. To train the next generation of cancer researchers, we have developed an institution-wide cancer biology training program for postdoctoral fellows focused on this area of cancer research, called the DNADRS program. This program is housed at the City of Hope, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is known internationally for clinical cancer research and has an outstanding record of basic cancer research. This T32 program began in 2016, and this is the first renewal application. The 3 T32-supported postdoctoral trainees supported for up to 3 years are selected for the DNADRS program through a rigorous process, including a personal interview. Each trainee establishes a mentoring committee that includes a physician to foster cross-pollination of ideas between the basic and translational aspects of cancer research. Annual reappointment is based on annual written reports from the trainee and mentoring committee. As part of a recruitment incentive in the DNADRS program, City of Hope will continue to provide an additional postdoctoral trainee position for every underrepresented minority trainee recruited, up to a total of 6 positions. Furthermore, to attract the best postdoctoral candidates at a national level, City of Hope continues to commit to salary supplementation for all DNADRS trainees, a stipend for research supplies, and full administrative and faculty salary support. Trainees will be mentored by 18 faculty members, all of whom are performing cancer-focused high-impact research and have a history of mentoring postdoctoral fellows. To enhance their chances of developing into independent cancer researchers, all DNADRS trainees take a unique common curriculum that provides a continuum of learning including scientific coursework that includes ethical conduct of research and proper research design, as well as professional development courses. In addition, trainees participate in cutting-edge research programs, journal clubs, seminars, symposiums, regular luncheons with mentors, mentoring committee meetings, national and international scientific conferences, and finally a yearly DNADRS Symposium. The stellar and comprehensive Shared Resource Facilities associated with the Cancer Center provide training in state-of the art technologies. The request for funding to renew this research training grant is justified by our track-record from the last funding cycle of seven successful trainees that include three underrepresented minority fellows, the relevance of the research training to cancer, the experience of the mentors, the outstanding commitment of City of Hope, and the diverse population of the geographical area served by our institution.