Predoctoral Training Program in Molecular Evolution

描述（由申请人提供）：自然选择是物种和生态系统生物学中最强大的概念。近年来，进化的原理和机制对分子科学也变得至关重要。现在认识到，人类健康中的许多问题根源于分子突变和选择过程。此外，受生物进化启发的越来越多的技术正变得可用于在实验室中通过进化手段产生新的分子功能。生物学和化学分子尺度上的进化是这个独特的培训计划的主题，这对生物技术的未来非常重要。我们既不关注生命的起源，也不关注有机体水平上的进化，这是进化生物学的两个传统领域。相反，我们强调突变、选择和反馈的原理和机制在三个领域的应用：(1)免疫系统作为自然界快速分子进化的主要引擎；(2)宿主-病原体相互作用中的分子进化；(3)实验室分子进化新工具的开发与应用。培训计划从研究生水平的课程（“进化的化学和生物学原理”）开始，并包括以下附加功能：(a)由学生组织的文献综述和系列研讨会，(b)由教师组织的年度研究介绍，(c)年度计划静修，(d)密集的跨学科互动，包括上述三个一般领域的研究人员每月的科学会议，以及所有学员进入所有参与实验室的机会，(e)由学生和教师构建和更新参考文本、技术手册和基于网络的开放获取资源，(f)安全和科学伦理方面的培训，(g)为所有学生提供工业实习机会，以及(h)由杰出的外部专家组成的小组进行定期审查。在这个框架内，学员有广泛的接触访问研究者和教师和同事在许多参与实验室，给他们在这一令人兴奋的领域的广泛和深入的视角。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Natural selection is the most powerful concept in the biology of species and ecosystems. In recent years, the principles and mechanisms of evolution have become vital to the molecular sciences as well. Many problems in human health are now recognized as being rooted in processes of molecular mutation and selection. Furthermore, a growing number of techniques inspired by biological evolution are becoming available to produce new molecular function by evolutionary means in the laboratory. Evolution at the molecular scale in both biology and chemistry is the subject of this unique training program, which is of great importance to the future of biotechnology. We focus neither on the origin of life nor on evolution at the organism level, the two traditional areas of interest in evolutionary biology. Rather, we emphasize the application of the principles and mechanisms of mutation, selection, and feedback to three areas: (1) the immune system as Nature's chief engine for rapid molecular evolution; (2) molecular evolution in host-pathogen interactions; and (3) the development and application of new tools for molecular evolution in the laboratory. The training program begins with a graduate-level course ("Chemical and Biological Principles of Evolution"), and includes the following additional features: (a) literature reviews and seminar series run by the students, (b) a yearly introduction to research by the faculty, (c) an annual program retreat, (d) intensive cross-disciplinary interactions including monthly scientific meetings of investigators in the above three general areas, and access of all trainees to all participating laboratories, (e) construction and updating by both students and faculty of a reference text, technical manual, and web-based open access resource, (f) training in safety and scientific ethics, (g) industrial internships for all students, and (h) periodic review by a panel of distinguished outside experts. Within this framework, trainees have extensive exposure to visiting investigators and to faculty and coworkers in many participating laboratories, giving them both a broad and deep perspective on this exciting field.