Molecular Biology and Genetics: Signaling, Epigenetics and Genome Maintenance - The overarching goal of this predoctoral T32 program is to offer exceptional interdisciplinary training opportunities in the broad area of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics with special interest in cell signaling, epigenetics and genome maintenance. Although many traditional programs offer training in Molecular Biology and/or Genetics, our T32 Program provides Trainees with tools and perspectives needed to consider how these fields intersect with a specific focus on cell signaling, genome maintenance, and epigenetics, 3 processes that play essential roles in homeostasis across the spectrum of life. There is a critical need for PhD and MD/PhD graduates with extensive training in these areas to lead development of novel approaches to target cell signaling, genome maintenance, and epigenetics in the context of human conditions in which these processes are deregulated, including cancer and aging. Our T32 Program aims to meet this need, at the basic science level and in ways that are relevant to human disease, with our Trainees participating in a set of targeted and evidence-based activities that will facilitate development of the technical, operational, and professional skills required to transition into the biomedical workforce as researchers in academics and industry, college faculty, research administrators, policy makers, medical writers, scientific editors, business and financial analysts, science consultants, data managers, and other future essential biomedical research jobs. Our T32 Program supports graduate students selected from the Biomedical Science (BMSC) Graduate Program at Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), specifically from two areas of concentration (clusters): Cancer Biology and Genetics (CBGN) and Molecular and Cellular Bioscience (MCBS). By recruiting Trainees from the CBGN and MCBS clusters, our T32 Program integrates the strengths of these clusters, providing a unique interdisciplinary training experience. Our T32 program leverages the expertise of 42 faculty Mentors with strong expertise in the 3 major scientific themes that define this T32 Program. This includes considerable strength in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, epigenetics, biochemistry and biophysics with expertise in state-of-the-art approaches such as confocal microscopy, mass spec proteomics, molecular modeling, bioinformatics, high throughput screens, structural biology, genomics, and epigenomics, using a variety of animal and cellular model systems and human samples. Our T32 Mentors also have a long tradition in training both graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with very high academic standards and will receive additional training in modern evidence- informed mentoring practices. Each year, we will recruit 3 Trainees who will be T32-supported for 2 years and will participate in T32 activities until graduation each year. Thus, our Trainees will benefit from a robust interdisciplinary training experience that includes activities to foster broader understanding of disease mechanisms. We are confident our Trainees be well-positioned to address the nation’s biomedical research agenda upon graduation.
