District of Columbia T32 on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Research (DC NDD T32)

项目总结/摘要 我们的T32培训计划的主要目标是培养MD和博士博士后研究员在研究重点 神经发育障碍（NDD）。该计划，哥伦比亚特区NDD T32，与 并完全融入我们的哥伦比亚特区智力和发育障碍研究中心 （DC-IDDRC）。该计划的基本原理如下：1）神经发育障碍影响显著的 占美国人口的百分比，10%的家庭与NDD患者一起生活，因此， 条件代表了我们社会的重大经济和情感负担; 2）生物原因 NDD的范围从遗传到获得性损伤，需要跨学科的神经科学方法来定义 疾病的根本原因和机制;以及3）在疾病的症状之间存在显著重叠。 各种神经发育障碍，提示重叠机制。我们的学员和导师使用 尖端技术，包括遗传、细胞/分子、生理、功能/行为， 结构/动态成像，从事基础和转化NDD研究项目。多学科培训 根据参加会议的机构提供的各种培训机会和核心设施， 机构职能体系国家儿童医院（CNH）特别适合领导这一计划，其基础是：1） 基础，转化和临床研究的优势，以及NDD所有拟议领域的指导 2）国家荒漠化和干旱研究和培训的大量机构资源; 3）建立，强大 与所有参与机构的合作;以及4）其在DC-IDDRC和许多NIH奖项中的领导作用 重点关注导致NDD的条件。来自CNH、乔治华盛顿、霍华德和乔治敦的30位导师 大学将参与该计划，以帮助发展和支持学员的职业生涯，包括 申请K奖。我们要求资助3名博士后研究员/年，他们参加了一个3- 年方案。受训人员将获得：1）关于国家残疾人发展战略的具体和综合培训; 2）正式和实用培训。 独立所需的基本和必要技能培训，重点是研究方法，统计， 严谨性和可重复性。培训内容包括核心课程，包括： 专业知识; 2）研究和定量技能; 3）沟通和写作技能。此外，学员将 有定制和经验的组成部分，以加深他们的培训。其中包括交叉训练轮换 对于受训者（例如，临床前研究人员在诊所轮换，反之亦然）;定期讨论小组， 世界知名的领导者和作者在NDD领域（马克巴特肖，医学博士）;我们还提供学员 有机会参加对拓宽他们对如何开展 通过与社区互动进行研究，他们的目标是在实验室或诊所以外的不同场所提供帮助， 这将加强关系，促进NDD社区的宣传。

Project Summary/Abstract The main objective of our T32 Training Program is to train MD and PhD post-doctoral fellows in research focused on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDDs). This program, the District of Columbia NDD T32, is associated with and fully integrated into our District of Columbia Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (DC-IDDRC). The rationale for this program is as follows: 1) Neurodevelopmental disabilities affect a significant percentage of the US population, and 10% of households live with an individual with an NDD, therefore these conditions represent a substantial financial and emotional burden in our society; 2) The biological causes of NDDs range from genetic to acquired insults, requiring an interdisciplinary neuroscience approach to define underlying causes and mechanisms of disease; and 3) There is significant overlap of symptoms amongst the various neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting overlapping mechanisms. Our trainees and mentors use cutting-edge techniques, including genetic, cellular/molecular, physiological, functional/behavioral, and structural/dynamic imaging to engage in basic and translational NDD research projects. Multidisciplinary training is emphasized, based on the variety of training opportunities and core facilities available at the participating institutions. Children’s National Hospital (CNH) is particularly well positioned to lead this program, based on: 1) Strengths in basic, translational and clinical research, and in mentorship in all the proposed areas of NDD research; 2) Substantial institutional resources for research and training in NDDs; 3) Established, strong collaborations with all participating institutions; and 4) Its leading role in the DC-IDDRC and in many NIH awards focusing on conditions causing NDDs. Thirty mentors from CNH, George Washington, Howard and Georgetown Universities will be involved in the program to help develop and support careers of the trainees, including submission of a K Award application. We request funding for 3 postdoctoral fellows/year who participate in a 3- year program. The trainees will obtain: 1) specific and integrated training in NDDs and 2) formal and practical training in basic and essential skills required for independence, with a focus on research methodology, statistics, and rigor and reproducibility. The training components include a core curriculum consisting of: 1) Subject matter expertise; 2) Research and quantitative skills, and 3) Communication and writing skills. In addition, trainees will have customized and experiential components to deepen their training. These include a cross-training rotation for trainees (e.g., preclinical researchers rotate in the clinic and vice versa); a regular discussion group with a world-renowned leader and author in the field of NDDs (Mark Batshaw, MD); and we also offer trainees opportunities to participate in activities that are critical for broadening their perspective on how to conduct research by interacting with the community they are aiming to help in different venues beyond the lab or clinic, which will enhance relationships and promote advocacy for the NDD community.