Synapse Neurobiology Training Program

描述(申请人提供)：突触活动是所有行为、学习和记忆的中心；突触功能障碍会导致神经障碍，如癫痫、自闭症、阿尔茨海默病、抑郁症和睡眠障碍。开发预防或治疗突触功能障碍的新治疗方法需要一支持续不断的年轻研究人员队伍，他们受过多学科技术的良好培训，以解决突触功能问题。本申请要求为Synapse神经生物学培训计划(SNTP)继续提供五年的资金，每年支持4名博士前学员，这些学员是从与突触结构和功能相关的论文研究的3-5年的高资质申请者库中挑选出来的。对突触功能和功能障碍的研究是20位SNTP教师导师的强项。在SNTP的头4年里，11名学员接受了个性化、深度、多学科的培训，3名学员完成了博士学位，从事学术研究、生物技术和教学工作。此外，神经科学系招聘了6名新教师，扩大和加强了向SNTP学员传授的多方面研究方法，并提供了丰富多样的论文研究实验室，研究突触神经生物学和突触障碍。SNTP学员可以通过NINDS资助的神经科学研究核心中心(成像、行为、基因组学和电生理学)获得尖端工具和各种研究方法的培训。SNTP通过一个新的、独立的神经科学计划和一个课程进一步加强，该课程增加了学员接触神经科学基本概念的深度和广度，特别强调突触。新课程的重点从基于讲座的教学转变为与教职员工互动、以讨论为导向的小组会议和实践研讨会，以磨练学员的批判性思维和技术技能。SNTP实习生有多种机会通过课程作业、合作研究项目以及与临床医生的一对一互动与内科科学家互动。后一项活动代表了一项新的倡议，为SNTP受训人员提供了了解与其论文工作最相关的疾病的机会。学员还受益于职业路径研讨会系列，让他们接触到各种各样的博士后职业选择，并帮助他们建立个人联系网络。学员举办的年度研究研讨会磨练了他们的演讲技巧，并加强了塔夫茨神经科学界的高度互动环境。SNTP的学员是有能力的、积极主动的和有动力的科学家，这从获奖、在全国会议上的演讲和学生主导的外展活动中得到了证明，这些活动包括在高中和大学举办教学研讨会，其中有大量来自服务不足群体的学生。SNTP为学员提供了他们需要的坚实的多方面基础，以建立成功的研究事业，并有助于了解健康和疾病的神经系统。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Synaptic activity is central to all behavior, learning, and memory; synaptic dysfunction leads to neurological disorders such as epilepsy, autism, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and sleep disorders. Developing new therapeutic approaches for preventing or treating synaptic dysfunction requires a continuing cadre of young investigators well-trained in multidisciplinary techniques to address synaptic function. This application requests five years of continued funding for the Synapse Neurobiology Training Program (SNTP), to support 4 predoctoral trainees per year, selected from a pool of highly qualified applicants in years 3-5 of thesis research relevant to synaptic structure and function. Research on synaptic function and dysfunction are strengths of the 20 SNTP faculty mentors. In the first 4 years of the SNTP, 11 trainees received individualized, in-depth, multidisciplinary training, 3 have completed their PhD degree and are engaged in academic research, biotech, and teaching careers. In addition, 6 new faculty members were recruited to the Department of Neuroscience, expanding and strengthening the multifaceted research approaches being taught to SNTP trainees and providing a rich diversity of thesis research labs investigating synapse neurobiology and synaptic disorders. SNTP trainees have access to cutting-edge tools and training in a wide array of research approaches via the NINDS-funded Center for Neuroscience Research Cores (Imaging, Behavior, Genomics, and Electrophysiology). The SNTP is further strengthened by a new, stand-alone Neuroscience Program and a curriculum that increases the depth and breadth of trainees' exposure to fundamental concepts in neuroscience, with particular emphasis on the synapse. The new curriculum shifts focus from lecture-based teaching to interactive, discussion-oriented small group sessions with faculty and hands-on workshops that hone the trainees' critical thinking and technical skills. SNTP trainees have multiple opportunities to interact with physician scientists through coursework, collaborative research projects, and one-on-one interactions with clinicians. The latter activity represents a new initiative that provides SNTP trainees with an opportunity to learn about diseases most relevant to their thesis work. Trainees also benefit from a Career Paths seminar series that exposes them to the diverse post-PhD career options available and to help them start a personal contact network. Annual research seminars by trainees hone their presentation skills and reinforce the highly interactive environment that characterizes the Tufts neuroscience community. SNTP trainees are capable, proactive, and motivated scientists, as evidenced by awards, presentations at national meetings, and student-led outreach activities that include teaching workshops at high schools and colleges with large populations of students from underserved groups. The SNTP provides trainees with the solid multifaceted foundation they need to build successful research careers and contribute to knowledge of both healthy and diseased nervous systems.