Multidisciplinary Visual Sciences Training Program

描述(由申请人提供)：视力培训计划的长期目标是为独立从事视力研究的博士后学生和博士后研究员做准备。该提案将西北大学的视力培训整合到一个综合项目中，充分利用了该大学的大量资源。培训计划的一个独特方面是，它提供了对视力研究的广泛概述，并通过临床教师的参与，对受训人员进行视觉系统障碍方面的教育。21名讲师提供视觉系统的细胞和分子生物学、遗传学、免疫学和神经生物学方面的研究培训，特别强调视网膜、角膜、睫状体和感觉处理的研究。这些导师在研究生培训方面有着良好的记录，拥有50份同行评审的研究补助金(其中19份来自NEI)。这些教授已经培训了200多名研究人员；过去的受训人员中，约有100人在学术岗位上，拥有35项同行评议的拨款。 该提案的主要目标是吸引和培训学生，重点是与视觉系统和相关疾病有关的分子遗传学、免疫学、细胞生物学、神经生物学和生物医学工程。该培训计划还教育学生科学道德和负责任的研究行为。此外，主要重点是从代表性不足的少数群体中招募受训人员进行视力研究。培训补助金支持6名博士后实习生、2名博士后实习生和1名临床研究实习生。博士前实习生来自生命科学综合研究生计划、医学科学家培训(MD/PHD)计划、跨部门生物科学计划、西北大学神经科学研究所计划和生物医学工程研究生计划。指导委员会挑选学员，他们将在全日制实验室培训期间得到两到三年的支持。每名受训人员的计划由导师和指导委员会决定。除了研究培训，学员还通过参加课程、讲座、研讨会和眼科大赛接触到视力研究的基础科学和临床方面。预计受训人员将继续作为独立的、富有成效的研究人员，他们将在全国范围内加强未来的视力研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term objective of the vision training program is to prepare predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows for independent careers in vision research. The proposal integrates vision training at Northwestern University into a comprehensive program that takes advantage of the considerable resources at the university. A unique aspect of the training plan is that it offers a broad overview of vision research and also educates trainees in the disorders of the visual system through involvement of clinical faculty. The twenty one preceptors offer research training in cell and molecular biology, genetics, immunology and neurobiology of the visual system with specific emphasis on the study of retina, cornea, ciliary body and sensory processing. The preceptors have a strong record in graduate training and hold 50 peer-reviewed research grants (19 from NEI). The preceptors have trained more than 200 researchers; and about 100 of the past trainees are in academic positions and hold 35 peer-reviewed grants. The main goal of the proposal is to attract and train students with an emphasis on molecular genetics, immunology, cell biology, neurobiology and biomedical engineering pertaining to the visual system and associated diseases. The training program also educates students in the ethics of science and responsible conduct of research. In addition, major emphasis is placed on recruiting trainees from under-represented minority groups to vision research. The training grant supports six predoctoral trainees, two postdoctoral trainees and one clinical research trainee. The predoctoral trainees are recruited from the Integrated Graduate Program in the Life Sciences, the Medical Scientist Training (MD/PhD) Program, the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program, the Northwestern University Institute of Neuroscience Program and the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program. A Steering Committee selects trainees who will be supported for two to three years during their full-time laboratory training. The program for each trainee is determined by the preceptor and the Steering Committee. In addition to research training, the trainees are also exposed to basic science and clinical aspects of vision research through participation in courses, lectures, seminars and Ophthalmology grand rounds. It is expected that the trainees will continue as independent, productive investigators who will enhance future vision research throughout the nation.