Preparing cancer researchers with a 21st century skill set

总结 随着尖端技术和算法的发展，如下一代测序技术， 我们的理解是，生物信息学可以分析来自数千名患者的大量数据 包括分子发病机制在内的癌症疾病过程的研究正变得越来越全面， 详细的新的高效疗法的出现，如免疫疗法和特异性小分子药物， 分子抑制剂，加上创新的成像技术，促进早期诊断和监测， 现在转化为对患者生存和预后的显著积极影响。下一代癌症 研究人员现在不仅需要了解基本的癌症生物学，而且还必须掌握翻译 实验室研究结果的应用，以及生物信息学分析的适当使用。总目标 癌症翻译培训的重点应该是广泛地教育受训者在不同的团队中工作， 基础研究、以患者为导向的研究和以人群为基础的研究，长期目标是推进 公共卫生此外，研究人员还需要参与社区教育， 更好地了解他们的研究工作的影响，并获得指导下一代的经验 科学家们。虽然不可能每个癌症研究人员都是基础癌症生物学方面的专家， 翻译方法，生物信息学和社区参与，对学员来说， 接触癌症研究的所有这些重要方面，使他们能够与同事交流， 这些不同的学科。学生重视使他们参与临床和社区环境的经验， 提供工具和经验，以构思和开发基于实验室的相关临床试验。的 VCU癌症和分子医学（CAMM）博士浓度已量身定制，以提供博士和MD- 在基础癌症和分子生物学方面接受过培训的博士生，重点是翻译 培训的应用。目前的R25应用旨在扩展和加强这一点， 课程与从头组件，即转化临床和社区参与， 可重复的癌症生物信息学，以提供全面的培训。这种独特的组合将装备 研究生与知识和经验的全面广度，从而促进 建立一个成功的职业生涯作为癌症研究人员谁能够进行转化科学。这 全面的课程可以传播和采用的研究生课程，重点是翻译 癌症研究。

SUMMARY With the development of cutting-edge technology and algorithms, such as next generation sequencing coupled with bioinformatics that allow analyses of vast amounts of data from thousands of patients, our understanding of the cancer disease process, including molecular pathogenesis, is becoming more comprehensive and detailed. The advent of new lines of highly effective therapies, such as immunotherapy and specific small molecule inhibitors, coupled with innovative techniques of imaging facilitating early diagnosis and monitoring, is now translating to significant positive impact on patient survival and prognosis. The next generation of cancer researchers now need not only to understand basic cancer biology but also must grasp the translational applications of laboratory-based findings, and the appropriate use of bioinformatics analyses. The overall goal of translational training in cancer should be to broadly educate trainees to work in diverse teams integrating basic research, patient-oriented research, and population-based research, with the long-term aim of advancing public health. In addition, the researchers also need to be involved in engaging with the community to educate and better understand the impact of their research work and obtain experience mentoring the next generation of scientists. Although it is not possible for every cancer researcher to be an expert in basic cancer biology, translational approaches, bioinformatics, and community engagement, it is important for trainees to be exposed to all of these important aspects of cancer research, to allow them to communicate with colleagues in these various disciplines. Students value experiences that engage them in clinical and community settings, providing the tools and experience to conceive and develop a clinical trial with laboratory-based correlates. The VCU Cancer and Molecular Medicine (CAMM) PhD concentration has been tailored to provide PhD and MD- PhD students with training in basic cancer and molecular biology, with a strong emphasis on the translational applications of the training. The present R25 application is aimed at extending and strengthening this curriculum with de novo components, namely translational clinical and community engagement and reproducible cancer bioinformatics, to provide well-rounded training. This unique combination will equip graduate students with a comprehensive breadth of knowledge and experience, thereby facilitating establishment of a successful career as a cancer researcher who is able to conduct translational science. This comprehensive curriculum can be disseminated to and adopted by graduate programs focused on translational cancer research.