RESEARCH EDUCATION PROGRAM ON COMPUTATIONAL AND STATISTICAL TOOL DEVELOPMENT FOR ADDICTION GENETICS

 描述(由申请人提供)：这份R25申请寻求在最后5年内继续发展一项研究教育计划(REP)，重点是培训计算和统计工具或方法的发展，以促进人类成瘾基因研究。通过广泛使用这些工具(在适当的预测试和质量控制之后)，并培训新一代有动力在成瘾遗传学研究中探索问题的计算/统计科学家，该计划寻求最大化现有GWA和药物使用(成瘾)障碍的遗传流行病学研究的回报，并促进人类成瘾基因组研究的新方向(例如，强调表观遗传机制、组织或细胞特异性效应)。根据R25机制的灵活性(与T/F机制相比)、博士后学员的非传统背景(例如生物信息学、计算机科学、统计遗传学)以及产生和分享创新工具和方法的要求，代表提出了一个为期4年的培训模式，现有3名博士后，头两年将招聘4名新博士后。该计划在全球范围内招募博士后实习生，以确定具有杰出才华和精力的候选人，并将他们与杰出、多样化和高度协作的教师队伍配对，这体现在现有和前任实习生的重大贡献和高度创新的贡献(例如，一个基于网络的工具每月有50万次点击)。该计划利用了特殊的制度环境，华盛顿大学在基因组研究(包括表观基因组学)、统计遗传学和基因组学以及生物精神病学研究(包括精神病学-特别是成瘾遗传学研究)方面处于领先地位。它使用研究学徒培训模式，在这种模式下，受训人员与一名在计算生物学/统计基因组学或遗传学研究方面具有相关专业知识、发现了可以促进人类成瘾遗传学研究的问题的主要导师配对；一名或多名具有强大背景的共同导师，如专注于成瘾遗传学的临床研究人员；以及可以补充辅导团队专业知识的外部顾问(例如动物模型)。在华盛顿大学的正式课程和在其他地方参加的成瘾研究研讨会，在负责任的研究中进行，以及其他为加强学术背景而量身定做的教学方法(例如基因组学、计算机科学)被用来促进个别博士后学员的研究教育。该项目由具有成瘾遗传学、统计遗传学/基因组学和计算生物学背景的董事领导，并有成功合作的历史。报告的实施和完善是由一个强大的内部计划咨询委员会指导的，该委员会每年都会从一个杰出的外部咨询委员会以及参加两年一次的博士后座谈会的顾问参与者那里得到反馈和批评。我们促进成瘾、统计遗传学和计算生物学科学家在R25之后的研究和研究教育方面的持续合作。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This R25 application seeks a final 5 years to continue development of a research education program (REP) focused on training in the development of computational, and statistical tools or methods to advance human addiction genetic research. By making such tools widely available (after appropriate pretesting and QC) and training a new generation of computational/statistical scientists motivated to pursue problems in addiction genetics research, the program seeks both to maximize the payoff from existing GWAS and genetic epidemiologic studies of substance use (`addiction') disorders, and to facilitate new directions in human addiction genomics research (e.g., emphasizing epigenetic mechanisms, tissue or cell-specific effects). Consistent with the flexibility of the R25 (compared to T/F) mechanisms, the non-traditional backgrounds of postdoctoral trainees (e.g., bioinformatics, computer science, statistical genetics), and the requirement to produce and share innovative tools and methods, the REP proposes a 4-year training model with 3 existing postdocs, and 4 new postdocs to be recruited during the first two years of award. The program recruits postdoctoral trainees globally to identify candidates of exceptional talent and energy, and pairs them with an exceptional, diverse and highly collaborative faculty, reflected in the significant an highly innovative contributions of current and former trainees (e.g., 0.5 million hits per month fo one web-based tool). The program takes advantage of an exceptional institutional environment, Washington University being a leader in genomics research (including epigenomics), in statistical genetics and genomics, and in biological psychiatry research (including psychiatric - and especially addiction - genetics research). It uses a research apprenticeship training model, in which a trainee is paired with a primary mentor with pertinent expertise in computational biology/statistical genomics or genetics research who has identified a problem that can advance human addiction genetics research; one or more co-mentors with strong backgrounds as clinical researchers focused on addiction genetics; and external consultants who can supplement the expertise of the mentoring team (e.g., animal models). Formal coursework at Washington University and workshops attended elsewhere in addiction research, in responsible conduct of research, and other didactics tailored to strengthen academic background (e.g., genomics, computer science) are used to advance the research education of individual postdoctoral trainees. The program is led by directors with backgrounds in addiction genetics, statistical genetics/genomics and computational biology with histories of successful collaboration. The implementation and refinement of the REP is guided by a strong Internal Program Advisory Committee with annual feedback and critique from an outstanding External Advisory Board, and from consultant participants in biennial postdoctoral symposia. We promote ongoing collaboration of addiction, statistical genetics and computational biology scientists in research and in research education beyond the life of the R25.