UNC Predoc Training Progr in Bioinformatics/Comp Biology

描述(申请人提供)：高通量基因组学和蛋白质组学技术的最新进展要求新一代科学家具备从大型生物数据集中提取知识并开发和应用新的数据分析、数学建模和计算模拟技术的能力。生物信息学和计算生物学博士前培训计划(BCB)于2002年秋季在北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校设立，以满足这些需求。该计划由卡罗莱纳基因组科学中心(CCGS)管理，该中心成立于2001年8月，任务是在与基因组科学相关的所有领域进行基础和应用研究。在过去的两年里，北卡罗来纳大学招聘了12名BCB教员，他们的专业领域包括进化遗传学、信息科学、蛋白质组分析、蛋白质折叠、统计遗传学和数学生物学。总共有分布在16个系和学院的39个计算和实验基因组学系隶属于BCB导师。该计划由四个关键部分组成：座谈会、研究轮换、正式课程和博士研究。课程设计包括三个层次的正式培训：必修课、核心课程和高级课程。为BCB计划开发了八个专门的核心模块，涵盖信息论、机器学习、序列比较、系统发育、数据管理、本体、数据挖掘、生物统计学、生物分子结构/功能预测和复杂系统建模等主要相关领域。申请资助6名博士后，每人为期两年。来自当地几个行业组织的配套支持已经承诺，允许提供更多的学生支持和/或行业实习。这些学生将在参与的北卡罗来纳大学-CH分校攻读博士学位，共同强调生物信息学和计算生物学；未来的计划包括过渡到独立的Phi3授课课程。所要求的资金将与北卡罗来纳大学在研究基础设施、教师招聘以及基因组学和生物信息学教育方面的投资相吻合，利用校内和校外的产业支持来扩大这一至关重要的跨学科培训计划。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent advances in high-throughput genomics and proteomics technologies call for a new generation of scientists equipped to extract knowledge from large biological datasets and develop and apply novel data analytical, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques. The Predoctoral Training Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) was established at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Fall 2002 to address these needs. The Program is administered by the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences (CCGS), which was formed in August 2001 with a mission of conducting basic and applied research in all areas related to genome sciences. Twelve BCB faculty members have been recruited by UNC-CH in the last two years, with specialties in evolutionary genetics, information science, proteome analysis, protein folding, statistical genetics, and mathematical biology. In total, 39 computational and experimental genomics faculty distributed among 16 departments and schools are affiliated as BCB mentors. The program consists of four key components: a colloquium, research rotations, formal coursework, and PhD research. The coursework is designed to include three tiers of formal training: prerequisite, core, and advanced courses. Eight specialized core modules have been developed for the BCB program that cover major related areas such as information theory, machine learning, sequence comparison, phylogeny, data management, ontology, data mining, biostatistics, biomolecular structure/function prediction, and modeling of complex systems. Funds are requested to support six predoctoral students for two years each. Matching support from several local industrial organizations has been committed to allow additional student support and/or industrial internships. The students will pursue PhD degrees in participating UNC-CH Departments with a common emphasis on Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; future plans include transitioning into independent Phi3 granting curriculum. The requested funds will dovetail with the UNC investment in research infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and education in both genomics and bioinformatics, leveraging intramural as well as extramural industrial support to expand this vital interdisciplinary training program.