Research Training in Neuroendocrinology

描述（由申请人提供）：我们的培训计划的目标是招募和培养从事神经内分泌研究的研究生基础和临床科学家。这个不断扩大的跨学科领域涉及行为、生长、食欲、新陈代谢、繁殖和神经功能等领域。了解这些过程对当前和未来的健康需求至关重要，因为它们与肥胖、高血压、不孕症和神经退行性疾病直接相关。我们的项目培养生物医学科学家，他们可以通过装备工具和培训来解决这些问题，以揭示基本神经内分泌过程的机制。研究和课堂体验是根据学员的背景和研究目标量身定制的。教学指导可用于广泛的主题，如统计学，分子和细胞生物学，神经科学和临床研究。学员还将参加一门关于神经内分泌学分子和细胞实验的理论和实践方法的特殊课程。培训师资包括终身资深基础和临床研究人员，为学员提供在分子、细胞、系统和临床水平上研究神经内分泌问题的机会。具体研究领域包括：垂体功能的下丘脑和外周调节、分泌机制、激素和神经递质受体、昼夜节律、实验疗法、促分泌剂和抑制剂对激素分泌的临床评价、神经发育、功能和组织。我们的教师在基础和临床研究者之间以及不同学科之间的互动和合作方面有着良好的记录。所有的导师都有联邦资助的同行评议研究，并且在培养基础和临床科学家从事独立研究事业方面有着良好的集体记录。受训者在获得外部支持、出版物以及研究和教育职位方面都有杰出的成就记录。我们继续吸引优秀的候选人，并要求提供4个职位，以保持合格学员的临界数量，并为本科生提供3个夏季奖学金，以支持来自代表性不足的少数民族的大量学员。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of our training program is to recruit and train postgraduate basic and clinical scientists for careers in neuroendocrine research. This expanding, interdisciplinary field addresses the areas of behavior, growth, appetite, metabolism, reproduction, and neural function. Understanding these processes is critical to current and future heath needs, as they relate directly to areas of obesity, hypertension, infertility, and neuro-degenerative diseases. Our program develops biomedical scientists who can address these problems by equipping them with the tools and training to uncover mechanisms of basic neuroendocrine processes. Research and classroom experiences are tailored to trainee background and research goals. Didactic instruction is available in a wide range of topics such as statistics, molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, and clinical investigation. Trainees also participate in a special course on theory and practical approaches to molecular and cellular experimentation in neuroendocrinology. Training faculty includes tenured senior basic and clinical investigators, offering trainees opportunities to study neuroendocrine problems at the molecular, cellular, systems and clinical levels. Specific research areas include: hypothalamic and peripheral regulation of pituitary function, mechanisms of secretion, hormone and neurotransmitter receptors, circadian rhythms, experimental therapeutics, clinical evaluation of hormone secretion by secretagogues and inhibitors, and neural development, function and organization. Our faculty have a strong track record of interaction and collaboration between basic and clinical investigators and among different disciplines. All preceptors have federally funded peer-reviewed research, and a strong collective record of training basic and clinical scientists for independent research careers. Trainees have an outstanding record of accomplishment in obtaining external support, publications, and positions in research and education. We continue to attract outstanding candidates, and request four positions to maintain a critical mass of qualified trainees, and three summer fellowships for undergraduates to support a pipeline of trainees with high representation from underrepresented minorities. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This proposal is directed towards providing the highest possible quality training of young physicians and scientists for research careers in neuroendocrinology. The discipline of neuroendocrinology addresses major issues in science underlying behavior, growth, appetite, metabolism, reproduction, cardiovascular control and neural function. Understanding these processes is critical to the medical care of such disorders as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, infertility and neurodegenerative diseases.