Training in Biomechanics in Regenerative Medicine

描述（由申请人提供）：匹兹堡大学（UOP）生物工程系和卡内基梅隆大学（CMU）生物医学工程系正在寻求继续支持博士前培训计划（每年总共6个职位），旨在为在再生医学（BiRM）应用生物力学方面建立富有成效和独立的职业生涯提供坚实的基础。这一目标是通过一个高度协调和指导的跨学科项目来实现的，该项目结合了必修课和选修课、研究活动和专业培训机会。该培训项目包括来自生物工程系（UOP）、生物医学工程系（CMU）和机械工程系（UOP和CMU）以及UOP医学院骨科、血管外科、泌尿外科和麦高恩再生医学研究所的教师。这种独特的教师研究兴趣和课程的结合为学生提供了丰富的教育经验和更多的培训机会，而不是在单个大学院系中获得的。跨越多个生理系统（心血管、肌肉骨骼、泌尿系统）的研究领域的广度为学生提供了一个独特的机会，通过欣赏与系统无关的广义方法，使他们成为高技能的问题解决者。此外，由于BiRM项目不以任何一个部门为中心，它为学生提供了跨部门的教学和研究经验，克服了传统项目中传统存在的基于部门的管理障碍。通过允许更广泛的选择来攻读博士学位，在再生医学研究中开发和应用生物力学方法。BiRM项目为学生和研究合作提供了越来越多的教育选择。BiRM的候选研究员主要来自工程学院，尽管该项目也欢迎生物、物理、化学和数学专业的学生。项目课程（教学课程，系列讲座，研讨会）旨在提供工程和生物科学的广度和深度，还包括生物统计学，生物伦理学以及专业和职业发展的正式接触。最后，每个学生在培训学院的实验室接受广泛的研究训练。在当前（第一个）周期内，有12名博士预科学员参加了该项目，我们认为学员的表现和项目成果都很突出（见进度报告）。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Departments of Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh (UOP) and Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) are seeking continued support for a predoctoral training program (6 positions total per year) aimed at providing a solid foundation upon which to build a productive and independent career in biomechanics as applied to regenerative medicine (BiRM). This goal is accomplished through a highly coordinated and mentored interdisciplinary program that combines required and elective courses, research activities, and specialized training opportunities. The Training Program incorporates faculty from the Departments of Bioengineering (UOP), Biomedical Engineering (CMU), and Mechanical Engineering (UOP and CMU), and the UOP School of Medicine Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Urology, and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. This unique combination of training faculty research interests and coursework provides a rich educational experience and more numerous training opportunities for students than could be obtained within the individual university departments. The breadth of research areas that span multiple physiological systems (cardiovascular, musculo-skeletal, urological) provides a unique opportunity for students to become highly skilled problem solvers by appreciating generalized approaches that are system-independent. Moreover, the since the BiRM program is not central to any one department, it provides students with inter-departmental didactic and research experience - overcoming the departmental based administrative roadblocks that traditionally exist in conventional programs., By permitting a much wider choice of options with which to pursue a PhD in developing and applying biomechanical approaches to regenerative medicine research. the BiRM program permits ever increasing educational options for the students and research collaborations. Candidate BiRM fellows are drawn primarily from engineering schools, although the program also welcomes students from biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Program coursework (didactic courses, lecture series, workshops) is designed to provide both breadth and depth in engineering and biological sciences and also includes a formal exposure to biostatistics, bioethics, and professional and career development. Finally, each student receives extensive research training in the laboratories of the training faculty. Twelve predoctoral trainees have participated in the program during the current (first) cycle and we believe that the trainee performance and program outcomes have been outstanding (see Progress Report). PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Regenerative medicine uses a variety of approaches, such as tissue engineering, cellular therapies, biosurgery and artificial and biohybrid organ devices, to address tissue/organ insufficiency. Yet, despite several early successes, bioengineers have faced challenges in repairing or replacing tissues that serve a predominantly biomechanical function. Therefore, we believe that individuals trained in both biomechanical engineering principles and biology are critically needed to develop novel therapeutic approaches for advancing regenerative medicine therapies. The proposed program aims to provide such training to students pursuing a doctoral degree in bioengineering.