UNC Predoc Training Progr in Bioinformatics/Comp Biology

描述（由申请人提供）：高通量基因组学和蛋白质组学技术的最新进展要求新一代科学家能够从大型生物数据集中提取知识，并开发和应用新的数据分析，数学建模和计算模拟技术。为了满足这些需求，北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校于2002年秋季建立了生物信息学和计算生物学（BCB）博士前培训计划。该计划由卡罗来纳州基因组科学中心（CCGS）管理，该中心成立于2001年8月，其使命是在与基因组科学相关的所有领域开展基础和应用研究。在过去的两年中，北卡罗来纳大学洛杉矶分校已经招募了12名BCB教职员工，他们的专长是进化遗传学、信息科学、蛋白质组分析、蛋白质折叠、统计遗传学和数学生物学。共有分布在16个院系的39名计算和实验基因组学教师作为BCB导师。该计划由四个关键部分组成：研讨会，研究轮转，正式课程和博士研究。课程设计包括三个层次的正式培训：先决条件，核心和高级课程。BCB计划已开发了8个专业核心模块，涵盖了信息理论、机器学习、序列比较、系统发育、数据管理、本体、数据挖掘、生物统计学、生物分子结构/功能预测和复杂系统建模等主要相关领域。申请资助6名博士预科生，每人2年。一些本地工业组织已承诺提供配套支持，以提供额外的学生支持和/或工业实习。学生将在北卡罗来纳大学-加利福尼亚大学附属学院攻读博士学位，共同重点是生物信息学和计算生物学；未来的计划包括过渡到独立的Phi3授予课程。申请的资金将与北卡罗来纳大学在研究基础设施、教员招聘以及基因组学和生物信息学教育方面的投资相吻合，利用校内和校外的工业支持来扩大这一重要的跨学科培训计划。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent advances in high-throughput genomics and proteomics technologies call for a new generation of scientists equipped to extract knowledge from large biological datasets and develop and apply novel data analytical, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques. The Predoctoral Training Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) was established at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Fall 2002 to address these needs. The Program is administered by the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences (CCGS), which was formed in August 2001 with a mission of conducting basic and applied research in all areas related to genome sciences. Twelve BCB faculty members have been recruited by UNC-CH in the last two years, with specialties in evolutionary genetics, information science, proteome analysis, protein folding, statistical genetics, and mathematical biology. In total, 39 computational and experimental genomics faculty distributed among 16 departments and schools are affiliated as BCB mentors. The program consists of four key components: a colloquium, research rotations, formal coursework, and PhD research. The coursework is designed to include three tiers of formal training: prerequisite, core, and advanced courses. Eight specialized core modules have been developed for the BCB program that cover major related areas such as information theory, machine learning, sequence comparison, phylogeny, data management, ontology, data mining, biostatistics, biomolecular structure/function prediction, and modeling of complex systems. Funds are requested to support six predoctoral students for two years each. Matching support from several local industrial organizations has been committed to allow additional student support and/or industrial internships. The students will pursue PhD degrees in participating UNC-CH Departments with a common emphasis on Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; future plans include transitioning into independent Phi3 granting curriculum. The requested funds will dovetail with the UNC investment in research infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and education in both genomics and bioinformatics, leveraging intramural as well as extramural industrial support to expand this vital interdisciplinary training program.