Multidisciplinary Biodefense Training Program

描述（由申请人提供）：这是一项新的申请，旨在建立生物防御培训计划，培养博士预科学员，帮助国家应对生物恐怖威胁的新挑战。该项目有19名教师，来自塔夫茨大学医学院萨克勒研究生生物医学科学学院和新英格兰医学中心医院的遗传学、免疫学和分子微生物学研究生课程。与生物防御相关的微生物的发病机制和遗传学的重点培训将与了解宿主对这些微生物的反应的培训相结合。通过这种方式，我们的学员将在深入了解病原体-宿主相互作用的基础上，为解决生物防御相关问题做好准备。新开设的课程整合了遗传学、免疫学和分子微生物学的课程。此外，新开发的课程介绍了最有效的生物制剂的发病机制，以及与生物恐怖主义和生物战有关的科学、医学、社会和政治问题。生物防御培训计划还与新成立的传染病免疫遗传学研究中心（SCIID）进行对接，该中心是一个专注于传染病遗传、免疫学和微生物学方面的组织。SCIID将设在新建的贾哈里斯家庭中心，将为我们的学员提供一个智力和身体的家。该中心还将让学生有机会在BL-3级别的遏制中工作，使用基因阵列技术研究宿主和病原体基因表达，并有机会获得BL-3级别的细胞分选。在遗传学，免疫学或分子微生物学研究生课程注册的博士生可以在研究生院的第一年后申请进入生物防御训练计划。我们计划的选择将基于第一年在实验室轮转和课程作业方面的高成就，选择一名生物防御培训计划教师作为论文导师，并致力于与生物防御相关的论文主题。三名学生将获得为期两年的支持（六个职位）。我们项目的好处包括：1)已经注册的从事生物防御相关问题的学生；2)有经验丰富的培训师资队伍；3)已经有强大的课程；4) SCIID的发展表明了机构对这个项目的承诺，并提供了一个出色的培训环境。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a new application to establish a biodefense training program to produce predoctoral trainees who will aid the nation in combating the new challenges of the bioterror threat. The program has a faculty of 19, drawn from the Genetics, Immunology and Molecular Microbiology Graduate Programs of the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences of Tufts University School of Medicine and New England Medical Center Hospitals. Focused training in the pathogenesis and genetics of microorganisms that are relevant to biodefense will be integrated with training in understanding host responses to these microorganisms. In this way, our trainees will be prepared to attack biodefense-related problems with an in-depth understanding of pathogen-host interaction. A newly developed curriculum integrates courses offered by Genetics, Immunology and Molecular Microbiology. In addition, a newly-developed course presents the pathogenesis of the most potent biological agents together with scientific, medical, social, and political issues relevant to bioterrorism and biowarfare. The Biodefense Training Program also interfaces with the newly conceived Study Center for the Immunogenetics of Infectious Disease (SCIID), an organization that focuses on genetic, immunological and microbiological aspects of infectious disease. The SCIID will be located in the newly constructed Jaharis Family Center, and will provide an intellectual and physical home for our trainees. This Center will also give students the opportunity to work at the BL-3 level of containment, use gene array technology to study host and pathogen gene expression, and have access to BL-3-level cell sorting. Predoctoral students enrolled in the Genetics, Immunology or Molecular Microbiology Graduate Programs may apply to enter the Biodefense Training Program after their first year of graduate school. Selection for our program will be based on high achievement in lab rotations and coursework during the first year, selection of one of the Biodefense Training Program faculty as a thesis mentor, and commitment to work on a dissertation topic relevant to biodefense concerns. Three students will be selected for two years of support (six positions). Benefits of our program include: 1) students are already enrolled who are working on biodefense related issues; 2) a highly experienced training faculty is in place; 3) a strong curriculum already exists; and 4) development of the SCIID shows institutional commitment to this program and provides an outstanding training setting. PARTICIPATING FACULTY: The 19 training faculty include 11 professors, 3 associate professors, and 5 assistant professors. Six of the training faculty are women. Fourteen of the training faculty have primary appointments at Tufts University and five training faculty are located at the New England Medical Center Hospital. The primary areas of research include genetics, immunology and molecular microbiology.