Synapse Neurobiology Training Program

描述（由申请人提供）：突触活动是所有行为、学习和记忆的中心;突触功能障碍导致神经系统疾病，如癫痫、自闭症、阿尔茨海默病、抑郁症和睡眠障碍。开发新的治疗方法来预防或治疗突触功能障碍，需要一个年轻的研究人员训练有素的多学科技术，以解决突触功能的持续干部。本申请要求为突触神经生物学培训计划（SNTP）提供五年的持续资助，每年支持4名博士前学员，这些学员是从3-5年与突触结构和功能相关的论文研究的高素质申请人中选出的。对突触功能和功能障碍的研究是20名SNTP教师导师的强项。在SNTP的前4年中，11名学员接受了个性化，深入，多学科的培训，3名已完成博士学位，并从事学术研究，生物技术和教学事业。此外，6名新教师被招募到神经科学系，扩大和加强了SNTP学员的多方面研究方法，并提供了丰富多样的论文研究实验室，调查突触神经生物学和突触疾病。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）获得各种研究方法的尖端工具和培训。SNTP进一步加强了一个新的，独立的神经科学计划和课程，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。新的课程将重点从基于讲座的教学转向与教师互动，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学员有多种机会通过课程与医生科学家互动，合作研究项目，并与临床医生一对一的互动。后一项活动是一项新举措，为SNTP学员提供了一个机会，了解与其论文工作最相关的疾病。学员还受益于职业道路研讨会系列，使他们接触到不同的博士后职业选择，并帮助他们建立个人联系网络。学员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学员是有能力的，积极主动的，积极的科学家，如奖项，在全国会议上的演讲，以及学生主导的推广活动，包括在高中和大学的教学研讨会，有大量来自服务不足群体的学生证明。SNTP为学员提供了坚实的多方面的基础，他们需要建立成功的研究事业，并有助于健康和患病的神经系统的知识。

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.