Interdisciplinary Training in Virology and Gene Therapy

描述(由申请人提供)：病毒学的发展促进了几个学科的发展，包括基因疗法。基因疗法有望治疗多种疾病。基因治疗中的关键问题是运载工具的开发。为满足国家需求，加州大学洛杉矶分校病毒学和基因治疗培训项目旨在为博士前学生在基因治疗相关领域寻求研究生涯提供独特和卓越的环境。该计划将在基础病毒学及其在基因治疗中的应用方面建立坚实的培训。我们的研究兴趣包括病毒进入、病毒基因表达调控、病毒基因组复制、病毒感染过程中的细胞生物学、病毒颗粒组装、病毒致癌和病毒免疫学，以及设计新的载体和体内跟踪病毒载体。凭借对逆转录病毒、腺病毒、SV40、丙型肝炎、脊髓灰质炎病毒、流感病毒和疱疹病毒的强大基础研究计划，我们的教职员工一直并将继续开发这些病毒的病毒载体，并使用非侵入性成像技术监测体内基因表达。受训人员将在培训期间接触临床和诊断问题，以帮助他们的研究项目在治疗方面的应用。培训环境中的这一桥梁将促进基因治疗从基础科学到临床应用的转化。培训计划包括1)与我们的一名教员一起进行的原创研究工作；2)提供病毒学、基因治疗和成像方面的全面背景的正式课程工作；以及3)由特邀演讲者、教职员工和受训人员主持的定期研究会议和研讨会。培训委员会将通过竞争过程挑选受训人员。任期可再延长两年，进展令人满意。在加州大学洛杉矶分校，这一严格的培训计划强调基础科学和治疗应用的垂直整合，将培养出长期发展基因治疗所需的科学家。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Developments in virology have led to the advancement of several disciplines, including gene therapy. Gene therapy holds the promise for a variety of diseases. The key issue in gene therapy is the development of delivery vehicles. To fulfill the national need, the UCLA Virology and Gene Therapy Training Program aims to provide a unique and outstanding environment for predoctoral students pursuing research career in fields related to gene therapy. This Program will establish a solid training in fundamental virology and its applications in gene therapy. The research interests of our faculty encompass viral entry, viral gene expression regulation, replication of viral genome, cell biology during viral infection, viral particle assembly, viral carcinogenesis and viral immunology, as well as designing novel vectors and tracking viral vectors in vivo. With strong basic research programs on retroviruses, adenoviruses, SV40, hepatitis C, poliovirus, influenza virus and herpesviruses, our faculty has been and will be continuously developing viral vectors from these viruses and monitoring gene expression in vivo using non-invasive imaging technologies. The trainees will be exposed to clinical and diagnostic issues during their training to assist the therapeutic applications of their research projects. This bridge in training environment will enhance the translation from basic science to clinical application in gene therapy. The training program constitutes 1) original research work with one of our faculty; 2) formal course work which provides comprehensive background on virology, gene therapy, and imaging; and 3) regular research conferences and seminars, presented by invited guest speakers, faculty members and trainees. The training committee will select trainees via a competitive process. Appointment is renewable for two additional years with satisfactory progress. At UCLA, this rigorous training program with emphasis on vertical integration of basic sciences and therapeutic applications will produce scientists required for long-term development of gene therapy.