Training Grant in Genomic Analysis and Interpretation

描述（由申请人提供）：将最近DNA测序技术的巨大飞跃所收集的数据转化为有用的生物医学知识是21世纪最大的科学挑战之一。如果没有计算机，现在收集的大量DNA数据是无法访问、操纵或分析的。然而，最大的瓶颈涉及软件而不是硬件。尽管目前的复杂程度，我们仍然缺乏足够的理论和算法来快速和精确地执行分子遗传学和遗传流行病学的许多基本任务。这将需要在生物和数学科学方面受过训练的新一代科学家来推动我们国家的基因组议程。很少有大学拥有像加州大学洛杉矶分校那样的基础设施和人力资源来开展基因组分析培训项目。我们的培训项目的核心课程包括分子生物学、人类遗传学、概率与统计、生物信息学和生物医学伦理学。学生还必须准备并参加相关的每周科学研讨会。受训者每月与项目教师和主管集体会面，了解常规课程中未涉及的职业事项。每年从在读博士生中择优培养12名博士预科生。每位受训人员将获得为期两年的资助，视进展情况而定。在特殊情况下，将考虑第三年的资助。这项培训补助金汇集了大学内四个学院和14个授予博士学位的部门的教员，以解决目前科学培训方面的差距。在2002年至2010年期间，该培训基金已成功完成了22名博士预科生在基因组分析和解释艺术方面的培训。这些博士已经在工业界、政府和学术界的基因组科学领域从事了富有成效的职业。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Turning the data collected by the recent quantum leap in DNA sequencing technology into useful biomedical knowledge is one of the greatest scientific challenges of the 21st Century. The enormous volume of DNA data now collected cannot be accessed, manipulated, or analyzed without computers. However, the greatest bottlenecks involve software rather than hardware. In spite of current levels of sophistication, we still lack adequate theory and algorithms to perform many fundamental tasks in molecular genetics and genetic epidemiology with speed and precision. It will take a new generation of scientists trained in both the biological and mathematical sciences to push forward our nation's genomic agenda. Few universities have the infrastructure and human resources to mount a genomic analysis training program of the scope possible at UCLA. Our training program's core curriculum includes work in molecular biology, human genetics, probability and statistics, bioinformatics, and biomedical ethics. Students must also prepare for and attend pertinent weekly scientific seminars. The trainees collectively meet on a monthly basis with the program faculty and directors to learn about career matters not covered in regular coursework. Each year we will train 12 predoctoral students drawn preferentially from students in the first half of their doctoral programs. Each trainee will be funded for two years contingent on satisfactory progress. In exceptional cases a third year of funding will be considered. This training grant has brought together faculty from four schools and 14 PhD-granting departments within the university to address the current gap in scientific training. During the years 2002 to 2010, this training grant has successfully completed training of 22 predoctoral students in the art of genomic analysis and interpretation. These doctorates have gone on to productive careers in genomic sciences in industry, government, and academia.