Interdisciplinary Translational Pre/Postdoctoral Program in Cancer Nanotechnology

抽象的。在癌症方面的纳米技术研究已经有了实质性的增长，这表明， 纳米技术可以为癌症管理提供独特的和其他无法实现的解决方案，包括 非常早期的癌症检测，精确的分子特异性诊断和治疗，减少副作用。 然而，实现这一承诺极具挑战性，因为它需要克服多重制约因素 纳米材料临床应用中的转化障碍， 癌症生物学目前，学术界的新发现与快速发展的新发现之间的差距越来越大。 实验室及其转化为临床。因此，迫切需要解决癌症的这一差距 纳米技术转化管道。为此，我们设计了一个新颖的培训计划， 在纳米技术的广泛领域的领导者与癌症相关的应用，谁是敏锐的具体利益 了解临床环境的需求和要求以及转化研究的主要挑战。 我们认为，只有这样才能培养出具有癌症翻译头脑的博士。研究人员将它们插入到 一个优秀的癌症中心的环境。因此，我们的计划是基于密切合作， 德克萨斯大学医学博士安德森癌症中心和莱斯大学。作为我们计划的一部分， 制定了一项全面的计划，从历史上被忽视的多样性群体中招募学员。 在与健康有关的研究中代表性不足，包括妇女、种族和族裔群体的个人， 残疾人和来自弱势背景的个人。 我们的培训计划包括翻译研究项目的多学科导师， 多学科，动手课程和研讨会的经验。所有学员将参与至少两个项目 教师导师（一个来自赖斯，一个来自MD安德森）定义和开展独立的研究 问题.教学课程将帮助他们为直接解决障碍的研究项目做出贡献 翻译的纳米技术为基础的方法，并发展所需的技能，定义和领导这样的 项目新学员将参加为期一周的独特的“癌症管理和治疗”靴子训练营。 纳米技术”，概述了该领域目前的机会和障碍。学员将发展 通过参加与以下项目相关的课程， 转化癌症或纳米技术主题。学员将通过科学写作获得基本的写作技能 研讨会，并写一个NIH资助计划，将由一个NIH式的模拟研究部分审查。最后， 学员将通过参加一个简短的实践课程获得重要的实验室管理技能， 实验室和项目管理简介。在节目结束时，研究员将有一个深刻的 了解癌症纳米技术的转化研究，最重要的组成部分是 证明了在这个具有挑战性的多学科领域进行独立翻译研究的能力。

Abstract. There has been a substantial growth in nanotechnology research in cancer demonstrating that nanotechnology could provide unique and otherwise unattainable solutions to cancer management including very early cancer detection, accurate molecular specific diagnosis and treatment that diminishes side effects. However, achieving this promise is extremely challenging because it requires overcoming multiple constraints imposed by translational barriers in clinical applications of nanomaterials that is multiplied by complexity of cancer biology. Currently, there is a growing gap between new discoveries coming at a fast pace from academic labs and their translation into clinic. Therefore, there is an urgent need in addressing this gap in cancer nanotechnology translational pipeline. To this end, we have designed a novel training program to educate future leaders in the broad field of nanotechnology with specific interests in cancer-related applications, who are keenly aware of the needs and demands of clinical environment as well as of major challenges of translational research. We believe that the only way to train cancer translation minded Ph.D. researchers is to insert them into the environment of an outstanding cancer center. Therefore, our program is based on a close collaboration between The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University. As part of our program, we have developed a comprehensive plan for recruiting trainees from diversity groups that are historically underrepresented in health-related research, including women, individuals from racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our training program includes multidisciplinary mentorship of translational research projects combined with multidisciplinary, hands-on coursework and seminar experiences. All trainees will work with at least two program faculty mentors (one from Rice and one from MD Anderson) to define and carry out an independent research problem. Didactic coursework will prepare them to contribute to research projects that directly address barriers to translation of nanotechnology-based approaches and to develop the skills needed to define and lead such projects. Incoming trainees will participate in a unique one-week-long boot camp in “Cancer Management and Nanotechnology” that provides an overview of current opportunities and barriers in the field. Trainees will develop foundational background in the field from program specific seminar series and by taking courses related to translational cancer or nanotechnology topics. Trainees will gain essential writing skills through scientific writing seminars and by writing a NIH grant proposal that will be reviewed by a NIH-style Mock Study Section. Finally, trainees will gain important lab management skills by participating in a short hands-on course providing an introduction to laboratory and project management. At the end of the program, fellows will have a deep understanding of translational research in cancer nanotechnology, with the most important component being the demonstrated ability to carry out independent translational research in this challenging multidisciplinary field.