TRAINING PROGRAM IN RHEUMATIC DISEASES RESEARCH

描述(摘自申请表)：本建议中描述的机构培训计划反映了该大学对致力于风湿病培训和研究的有能力和高度上进心的医学和博士毕业生的严格培训的持续承诺。该项目的主要优势是其教职员工拥有广泛的专业知识和研究兴趣，涵盖了现代风湿学的所有领域。基础研究机会包括：淋巴样细胞分化；分子免疫学；免疫球蛋白、T细胞受体、补体和细胞因子的基因组织、结构和功能；分泌免疫；免疫功能的转基因模型；神经免疫学；结缔组织结构和功能的分子方面；以及炎症反应的分子方面。它的主要焦点仍然是阐明风湿病的致病机制。参与该项目的教师的兴趣多样性和高素质确保了其学生所接受的培训将使他们能够为风湿病领域做出实质性贡献。这一培训计划提供了基础研究和临床风湿学之间的接口，除了研究计划外，还包括几个参与免疫/自身免疫性疾病患者护理的先导活动。博士后实习生是根据以前的学术和研究表现、推荐信和个人面试从拥有医学博士、博士或同等终端学位的个人中挑选出来的。选择的主要标准是对研究的高度激励，以及对风湿病学术研究和教学生涯的承诺。研究培训由33名UAB调查人员在大约60,000平方英尺配备齐全的实验室和办公空间内进行。特殊的研究设施包括电子显微镜设备、转基因小鼠设备，以及用于寡核苷酸合成、流式细胞术、杂交瘤生产和蛋白质测序的核心设备。讲师和受训人员可以进入医疗中心的医院和诊所。

DESCRIPTION (from the application): The Institutional Training Program described in this proposal reflects the continuing commitment of this University to the rigorous training of competent and highly motivated MD and PhD graduates who are committed to careers in training and research in rheumatology. The program's major strength has been the broad base of expertise and research interests of its faculty, covering the whole spectrum of modern rheumatology. Basic research opportunities are available on lymphoid cell differentiation; molecular immunology; gene organization, structure, and function of immunoglobulins, T cell receptors, complement, and cytokines; secretory immunity; transgenic models of immune function; neuroimmunology; molecular aspects of connective tissue structure and function; and molecular of the inflammatory response. Its primary focus remains the elucidation of pathogenetic mechanisms operative in rheumatic diseases. The diversity of interest and the high quality of the faculty participating in this program assure that the training its students receive will enable them to make substantive contributions to the field of rheumatology. This training program provides an interface between basic research and clinical rheumatology with several of the preceptors activity involved in the care of patients with immunologic/autoimmune diseases in addition to their research programs. Postdoctoral trainees are selected among individuals with an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal degree on the basis of prior academic and research performance, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview. Major criteria for selection are a high motivation for research and a commitment to a research and teaching career in academic rheumatology. Research training is carried out in approximately 60,000 square feet of well-equipped laboratory and office space by 33 UAB investigators. Special research facilities include an electron microscope facility, a transgenic mouse facility, and core facilities for oligonucleotide synthesis, flow cytometry, hybridoma production, and protein sequencing. Preceptors and trainees have access to the hospital and clinics of the Medical Center.