T32GM145766

Training in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies (CMBS) - Abstract

The Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies (CMBS) is an umbrella program that presents students with a unique opportunity to obtain individualized training in all aspects of biomedical sciences, including basic cell and molecular biology, microbiology, structural biology, biophysics, genetics, immunology, neurobiology, systems and computational biology, as well as translational biomedical disease-related research.

The underlying rationale for this program was to provide graduate students with a thorough grounding in the basics of biochemistry, genetics, cell and molecular biology through a series of 'core courses.' With the aim of expanding and unifying the graduate programs, the CMBS program has been expanded to include not only an umbrella track, but also tracks in structural biology/molecular biophysics, cell biology/stem cell biology, microbiology and immunology, pathobiology and mechanisms of disease, cancer biology, and systems biology. All the students in these tracks take the same 'core courses' and then choose elective courses specific to the tracks.

One of the unique aspects of the CMBS program is that students can elect to stay in the "umbrella" track, thereby allowing them to choose their own program of courses that fit their interests. For the core courses, trainees will take courses in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, molecular genetics, and statistics. They will also take courses in responsible conduct of research and training in rigor and reproducibility. They will have many opportunities to present their research and will submit a first author paper before they graduate.

Students in this training program will learn to evaluate and analyze biomedical literature critically and identify important biomedical research questions. They will also assess the significance of questions and determine if the research questions were approached rigorously. They will develop an independent research plan with rigorous and reproducible experimental design, quantitative approaches, and data interpretation. Furthermore, they will identify rules of responsible conduct of research. As part of their training, they will learn to perform research independently, responsibly, and rigorously, and conduct work both individually and as part of a research team.

Upon completion of the training program, students will be able to present research to a wider audience, both in oral and written presentations, and evaluate the possible careers in biomedical research that are available upon graduation. The CMBS program hosts a student research seminar series and a biennial student faculty retreat. Most students graduate in 5-6 years. We plan to support eight students for two years during their first two years of graduate study.

The CMBS program remains the premier cellular and molecular biology graduate program at Columbia University Medical Center, and support from this training grant is crucial for the continued success of this program.

The Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES (NIGMS) SUPPORTS BASIC RESEARCH THAT INCREASES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCES IN DISEASE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION. NIGMS ALSO SUPPORTS RESEARCH IN SPECIFIC CLINICAL AREAS THAT AFFECT MULTIPLE ORGAN SYSTEMS: ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PERI-OPERATIVE PAIN, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ?COMMON TO MULTIPLE DRUGS AND TREATMENTS, AND INJURY, CRITICAL ILLNESS, SEPSIS, AND WOUND HEALING.? NIGMS-FUNDED SCIENTISTS INVESTIGATE HOW LIVING SYSTEMS WORK AT A RANGE OF LEVELSFROM MOLECULES AND CELLS TO TISSUES AND ORGANSIN RESEARCH ORGANISMS, HUMANS, AND POPULATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, TO ENSURE THE VITALITY AND CONTINUED PRODUCTIVITY OF THE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE, NIGMS PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THE TRAINING OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS, ENHANCING THE DIVERSITY OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE, AND DEVELOPING RESEARCH CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

93.859 - Biomedical Research and Research Training

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) [HHS - NIH]

New York United States

State-Wide

National Institute of General Medical Sciences Institutional Predoctoral Research Training Grant (T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-20-213)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 310% from $832,579 to $3,413,131.