Interdisciplinary Training in Virology and Gene Therapy

描述（由申请人提供）：病毒学的发展导致了几个学科的进步，包括基因治疗。基因疗法有望治疗多种疾病。基因治疗的关键问题是运载工具的发展。为了满足国家的需要，加州大学洛杉矶分校病毒学和基因治疗培训计划旨在为攻读基因治疗相关领域研究的博士生提供一个独特而优秀的环境。该计划将建立扎实的基础病毒学及其在基因治疗中的应用培训。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，病毒感染期间的细胞生物学，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。我们在逆转录病毒、腺病毒、SV40、丙型肝炎病毒、脊髓灰质炎病毒、流感病毒和疱疹病毒等方面拥有强大的基础研究项目，我们的教师已经并将继续从这些病毒中开发病毒载体，并使用非侵入性成像技术监测基因在体内的表达。学员将在培训期间接触临床和诊断问题，以协助他们的研究项目的治疗应用。这个培训环境中的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)与我们的一位教员进行原创性研究工作；2)正式课程，提供病毒学、基因治疗和影像学的全面背景知识；3)定期召开研究会议和研讨会，由特邀嘉宾、教职员工和学员主持。培训委员会将通过竞争选拔学员。如取得令人满意的进展，可延长两年任期。在加州大学洛杉矶分校，这个严格的培训项目强调基础科学和治疗应用的垂直整合，将培养基因治疗长期发展所需的科学家。

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.