IMMUNOLOGIC/GENETIC MECHANICSMS IN RHEUMATIC DISEASES

描述(由申请者提供)：本研究培训计划的总体目标是提供与风湿性疾病相关的实验室或非实验室研究方面的广泛调查经验。该计划的重点是自身免疫和结缔组织疾病。正规的课程以及对疾病发病机制的跨学科强调为培训计划提供了一个结构。该计划旨在为具有基础科学背景的个人和接受过临床培训的个人提供交叉受精。博士后候选人(需要三个职位)和博士后研究员(需要两个职位)可以从不同的临床和基础科学教职员工中挑选导师。大学的GCRC和最近资助的CTSA加强了进行临床研究的基础设施。该计划在系统性自身免疫性疾病(狼疮、干燥综合征、类风湿性关节炎)中是GCRC最大的用户。在过去的资助期间，通过招聘教师，加强了临床/转化性研究的培训机会。培训人员的研究兴趣包括：1)骨髓细胞功能，2)淋巴细胞生物学，3)动物模型，4)免疫治疗，细胞因子，趋化因子，5)临床免疫学/生物标记物，6)干细胞生物学，7)自身免疫病遗传学/表观遗传学，8)基因/细胞治疗。培训计划在很大程度上是指导性的，学员75%以上的时间用于独立研究活动，其余时间用于正式课程和会议。课程是根据学员的个人需求量身定做的。该学院在积极合作方面有着良好的记录。参与的学系包括内科、儿科、病理学、免疫学及检验医学、分子遗传学及微生物学、生物化学及分子生物学、流行病学及生物统计学、卫生政策及流行病学、口腔生物学及口腔外科。在过去5年和10年期间完成该计划的学员在研究出版物和随后的职业发展方面都非常成功，11名完成培训的人中有6人在学术界任职，3人在工业界任职。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall objective of this research training program is to provide a broad investigational experience in laboratory or non-laboratory research related to rheumatic diseases. The Program focuses on autoimmunity and the connective tissue diseases. Formal curricula as well as an interdisciplinary emphasis on disease pathogenesis provide a structure for the training program. The program is designed to provide cross- fertilization between individuals with a basic science background and those with clinical training. Pre- doctoral candidates (three positions requested) and postdoctoral fellows (two positions requested) may select mentors from a diverse clinical and basic science faculty. The infrastructure for carrying out clinical research is enhanced by the University's GCRC and the recently funded CTSA. The program in systemic autoimmune disease (lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis) is the largest GCRC user. Training opportunities in clinical/translational research were strengthened through faculty recruitment over the past funding period. Research interests of the training faculty fall into the following categories: 1) Myeloid cell function, 2) lymphocyte biology, 3) animal models, 4) immunotherapy, cytokines, chemokines, 5) clinical immunology/biomarkers, 6) stem cell biology, 7) genetics/epigenetics of autoimmune disease, and 8) gene/cell therapy. The training program is largely preceptorial, with more than 75% of the trainee's time devoted to independent research activities and the rest spent in formal courses and conferences. The curriculum is tailored to trainees' individual needs. The Faculty has a strong track record of active collaboration. Participating departments are Medicine; Pediatrics; Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine; Molecular Genetics & Microbiology; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Epidemiology & Biostatistics; Health Policy & Epidemiology; Oral Biology; and Oral Surgery. Trainees completing the program over the past 5 and 10-year periods have been highly successful in terms of research publications and their subsequent career development, and 6 of 11 individuals who have completed their training have assumed positions in academia and 3 in industry.