Interdisciplinary Translational Pre/Postdoctoral Program in Cancer Nanotechnology

抽象的。纳米技术在癌症方面的研究已经有了实质性的增长，证明了 纳米技术可以为癌症管理提供独特的、否则无法实现的解决方案，包括 非常早的癌症检测，准确的分子特异性诊断和治疗，减少副作用。 然而，实现这一承诺具有极大的挑战性，因为它需要克服多种限制 由纳米材料临床应用中的翻译障碍造成的，乘以复杂性 癌症生物学。目前，学术界快速推出的新发现之间的差距越来越大。 实验室及其转化为临床。因此，迫切需要解决癌症中的这一差距。 纳米技术转化管道。为此，我们设计了一个新颖的培训计划，以教育未来 在广泛的纳米技术领域的领导者，对癌症相关应用有特殊兴趣，他们敏锐地 了解临床环境的需求和要求以及转化性研究的主要挑战。 我们认为，培训具有癌症翻译思维的博士研究人员的唯一方法是将它们插入到 一个杰出的癌症中心的环境。因此，我们的计划是基于两国之间的密切合作 德克萨斯大学MD安德森癌症中心和莱斯大学。作为我们计划的一部分，我们有 制定了一项全面的计划，从历史上 在与健康有关的研究中代表性不足，包括妇女、种族和族裔群体的个人、 残疾人，以及来自弱势背景的个人。 我们的培训计划包括对翻译研究项目的多学科指导，结合 多学科的实践课程和研讨会经验。所有受训人员将参与至少两个项目 教师导师(一名来自莱斯，一名来自MD安德森)定义并开展独立研究 有问题。授课课程将使他们为直接解决障碍的研究项目做出贡献 翻译以纳米技术为基础的方法，并开发定义和领导这种方法所需的技能 项目。未来的实习生将参加一个独特的为期一周的新兵训练营“癌症管理和 纳米技术“，概述了该领域目前的机会和障碍。实习生将发展 该领域的基础背景，来自特定计划的研讨会系列，并通过参加以下相关课程 转化性癌症或纳米技术话题。学员将通过科学写作获得基本的写作技能 研讨会和撰写一份NIH拨款提案，将由NIH风格的模拟研究部门审查。最后， 学员将通过参加短期实践课程获得重要的实验室管理技能，提供 实验室和项目管理入门。在节目结束时，研究员们将有一个深刻的 了解癌症纳米技术中的翻译研究，其中最重要的组成部分是 具备在这一具有挑战性的多学科领域开展独立翻译研究的能力。

Abstract. There has been a substantial growth in nanotechnology research in cancer demonstrating that nanotechnology could provide unique and otherwise unattainable solutions to cancer management including very early cancer detection, accurate molecular specific diagnosis and treatment that diminishes side effects. However, achieving this promise is extremely challenging because it requires overcoming multiple constraints imposed by translational barriers in clinical applications of nanomaterials that is multiplied by complexity of cancer biology. Currently, there is a growing gap between new discoveries coming at a fast pace from academic labs and their translation into clinic. Therefore, there is an urgent need in addressing this gap in cancer nanotechnology translational pipeline. To this end, we have designed a novel training program to educate future leaders in the broad field of nanotechnology with specific interests in cancer-related applications, who are keenly aware of the needs and demands of clinical environment as well as of major challenges of translational research. We believe that the only way to train cancer translation minded Ph.D. researchers is to insert them into the environment of an outstanding cancer center. Therefore, our program is based on a close collaboration between The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University. As part of our program, we have developed a comprehensive plan for recruiting trainees from diversity groups that are historically underrepresented in health-related research, including women, individuals from racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our training program includes multidisciplinary mentorship of translational research projects combined with multidisciplinary, hands-on coursework and seminar experiences. All trainees will work with at least two program faculty mentors (one from Rice and one from MD Anderson) to define and carry out an independent research problem. Didactic coursework will prepare them to contribute to research projects that directly address barriers to translation of nanotechnology-based approaches and to develop the skills needed to define and lead such projects. Incoming trainees will participate in a unique one-week-long boot camp in “Cancer Management and Nanotechnology” that provides an overview of current opportunities and barriers in the field. Trainees will develop foundational background in the field from program specific seminar series and by taking courses related to translational cancer or nanotechnology topics. Trainees will gain essential writing skills through scientific writing seminars and by writing a NIH grant proposal that will be reviewed by a NIH-style Mock Study Section. Finally, trainees will gain important lab management skills by participating in a short hands-on course providing an introduction to laboratory and project management. At the end of the program, fellows will have a deep understanding of translational research in cancer nanotechnology, with the most important component being the demonstrated ability to carry out independent translational research in this challenging multidisciplinary field.