Human and Translational Immunology Training Program

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Project Summary Progress in translational immunology has created a new demand for training scientists with expertise in human immunology and with the skills to bring discoveries in immune sciences to the clinic. The training that is required for translational immunology is distinct from traditional cellular or molecular immunology or the clinical sciences. This program fulfills four unmet needs in training translational immunologists. First, our understanding of basic immunology has largely been driven by primary observations and concept development in animal models, but there are many differences between immune responses in rodents versus humans. Studies of human cells and tissues are needed to understand the mechanisms of human diseases and predict outcomes in human clinical settings. Animal models are limited in their ability to accurately model genetic variations and environmental influences that can affect the human immune system. Second, the methods used to analyze data from human studies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, are more complex and variable than data generated from animal model systems. Third, there are still common diseases for which immune modulation and immune mechanisms are just beginning to be identified and explored such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, an understanding of individual features that determine immunologic responses - why some patients do not respond positively, or even respond negatively, to many current immune-based approaches while others show robust responses, is only beginning to be elucidated. Lastly, there is a critical shortage of clinically trained investigators who also have training in basic aspects of human immunology. Those with a clinical background who wish to pursue further studies in translational immunology are discouraged from this pathway because of their limited previous training and unfamiliarity with new technologies. To this end, we propose the establishment of the Yale Human and Translational Immunology (HTI) Training Program (HTITP). The HTITP has grown from the expansion of the HTI program at Yale, the strong interest among trainees, and the unmet need for skilled translational immunologists in the scientific community. The program will offer training in concepts and techniques fundamental to productive human-based research in immunology and includes the newer areas of systems immunology, precision medicine and host:environment interactions, as well cellular and molecular immunologic studies. The mentors for this training program cover multiple disciplines, are active leaders in studies of human immunity in health and disease, have expertise in clinical and translational studies utilizing patient samples, and are skilled at training predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees. We request 4 predoctoral slots, working toward a PhD degree at Yale, and 3 postdoctoral slots. Yale is an exceptional research environment with state- of-the-art resources for trainees. The proposed program will provide the tools and investigative experiences to train the future leaders in the field of translational immunology.