IGERT: Computational Molecular Biology Training Group

计算生物学是一个跨学科的领域，旨在通过访问，操作和解释快速积累的基因组序列和表达数据来回答复杂的生物学问题。 挑战在于了解基因组信息如何整合以创建复杂的生物途径，过程和系统。 迎接这一挑战需要一个多样化和受过广泛培训的专业人员在生物和计算科学（数学，统计学，计算机科学）的接口工作。 这个持续的IGERT项目的智力价值和目标是将计算生物学领域引领到下一个发现时代，同时教育一批不同的专业人士来带头这项工作。 这一目标将通过与爱荷华州州立大学（ISU）合作的综合性机构间培训计划来实现-其已建立的博士计算生物学计划-和新墨西哥州州立大学（NMSU）-一个强大的研究机构，在少数民族学生培训方面具有丰富的传统。 这种伙伴关系将促进在ISU和NMSU教师共同感兴趣的领域的合作研究：基因组信息学，大分子动力学和相互作用，以及代谢和调控网络。 ISU将分享跨学科研究生培训的专业知识，因为NMSU实施了研究生水平的计算生物学计划。 促进两个机构培训工作无缝整合的战略包括联合课程、学生交流、联合教师指导、教师交流以及机构间讲习班和务虚会。 如果NMSU学生选择继续超越MS，这些互动和熟悉ISU的教师和研究将促进他们过渡到ISU的博士课程或提供基础，在其他地方追求研究生学习。 该计划的一个主要的更广泛的影响是扩大在这个跨学科领域的参与。 IGERT是一个NSF范围内的计划，旨在满足教育美国博士的挑战。具有跨学科背景的科学家和工程师，在所选学科的深厚知识，以及未来职业需求所需的技术，专业和个人技能。 该计划旨在通过建立创新的研究生教育和培训新模式，在超越传统学科界限的合作研究的肥沃环境中促进研究生教育的文化变革。

Computational biology is an interdisciplinary field designed to answer complex biological questions by accessing, manipulating and interpreting the rapidly accumulating body of genomic sequence and expression data. The challenge is to understand how genomic information is integrated to create complex biological pathways, processes and systems. Meeting this challenge requires a diverse and broadly trained group of professionals working at the interface of the biological and computational sciences (mathematics, statistics, computer science). The intellectual merit and goal of this continuing IGERT project is to lead the field of computational biology to the next era of discovery while educating a diverse group of professionals to spearhead this effort. This goal will be achieved through an integrated, inter-institutional training program partnering Iowa State University (ISU) - with its established PhD computational biology program - and New Mexico State University (NMSU) - a strong research institution with a rich tradition in minority student training. This partnership will foster collaborative research in areas of common interest to ISU and NMSU faculty: genome informatics, macromolecular dynamics and interactions, and metabolic and regulatory networks. ISU will share expertise in interdisciplinary graduate training as NMSU implements a graduate level computational biology program. Strategies to promote seamless integration of training efforts at the two institutions include joint coursework, student exchange, joint faculty mentorship, faculty exchange, and inter-institutional workshops and retreats. Should NMSU students choose to continue beyond the MS, these interactions and familiarity with ISU's faculty and research will facilitate their transition into ISU's PhD program or provide the foundation to pursue graduate studies elsewhere. A major broader impact of the program is broadening participation in this interdiscplinary field. IGERT is an NSF-wide program intended to meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers with the interdisciplinary background, deep knowledge in a chosen discipline, and the technical, professional, and personal skills needed for the career demands of the future. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education by establishing innovative new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.