CIRM Cell and Gene Therapy Training Program 2.0
Grant Award Details
Grant Type:
Grant Number:
EDUC4-12792
Investigator(s):
Award Value:
$5,013,550
Status:
Active
Progress Reports
Reporting Period:
Year 1
Reporting Period:
Year 2
Reporting Period:
Year 3
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
CIRM Cell and Gene Therapy Training Program 2.0
Public Abstract:
The proposed CIRM Scholars training program is centered within an infrastructure that includes: (1) experienced well-funded mentors; (2) techniques, methodologies, and facilities essential for basic, translational, and clinical training in stem cell/regenerative medicine and gene therapy research; (3) established graduate training programs that provide the spectrum of experiences in predoctoral and postdoctoral training, MD and PhD postgraduate career development, entrepreneurship, responsible conduct of research, rigor and reproducibility, and bioethics; (4) a clinical enterprise that includes a medical school, teaching hospital, community clinics, workforce development programs, training opportunities with core competencies, and a Mentoring Academy; (5) exceptional regenerative medicine infrastructure initiated through prior CIRM funding; (6) core facilities that provide essential expertise in cell and molecular biology, preclinical models, genomics, and informatics/data science, to name a few; (7) a strong, collaborative framework in which to mentor and cultivate scholars with a multidisciplinary team approach, with special emphasis on the recruitment and retention of diverse (underrepresented, disadvantaged) trainees; and (8) community outreach, healthcare engagement, and public education. A strong supportive culture of training and career development is in place which enables expanding the pool and strengthening the pathways of the next generation of diverse scholars who embrace high impact research, team science, and effective community engagement. Core courses for all scholars are coupled with elective didactic courses provided from the extensive course offerings that are tailored to individual scholars needs based on the area of study and as advised by the mentoring team and training program leadership. The program is committed to training investigators in community-engaged research principles and strategies, including communicating science to lay audiences and embracing the role of communities in developing and implementing research programs. The overarching goal is to effectively connect basic and translational investigations with clinical trials and facilitate the identification of new regenerative and gene therapies for patients in need across all age groups.
Statement of Benefit to California:
The CIRM Scholar Research Training Program will provide significant benefit to the State of California and its citizens in the following ways:
• Train diverse scholars to be the next generation of regenerative medicine leaders, advancing basic, translational, and clinical research and serving as mentors for future generations of scholars.
• Develop diverse team-oriented investigators who will facilitate research and engage community partners implementing new cell and gene therapies for a range of human diseases and across all age groups.
• Work with community partners to address health disparities.
• Effectively communicate the science behind new therapies as well as the ethical, legal, and social implications of regenerative medicine and gene therapy research.
Well-trained personnel are needed to eliminate critical bottlenecks in bringing cell and gene therapies to the clinic and to ensure these new therapies will be made available to all patients in need. Training scientists and clinicians committed to the field that remain in the state of California will relieve the statewide shortage. The program will also benefit trainees by providing new workforce opportunities. Over the 10 years of prior funding, our CIRM Training Program included ~60 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical fellows that participated in a broad range of stem cell/regenerative medicine research projects. These projects resulted in ~200 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Current positions of former trainees indicate that the majority are in academic or industry positions primarily in California, with others working in healthcare settings, supporting the long-term benefits to California and its citizens. With our recruitment efforts centered on trainees from historically underrepresented groups, and the addition of equity-centered inclusive training practices, the program aims to further increase the diversity of California’s cell and gene therapy expertise thus providing future leaders. The new cohorts of scholars proposed will also be focused on reducing healthcare disparities in California thus providing benefit to a wide range of patients and communities.
Publications
- Adv Healthc Mater (2024): Conductive Microgel Annealed Scaffolds Enhance Myogenic Potential of Myoblastic Cells. (PubMed: 38069833)
- Tissue Eng Part A (2024): Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Improves Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Spheroid Response to Chondrogenic Stimuli. (PubMed: 39556314)
- Mater Today Bio (2023): Hydrogel degradation promotes angiogenic and regenerative potential of cell spheroids for wound healing. (PubMed: 37636986)
- Nature (2024): A maternal brain hormone that builds bone. (PubMed: 38987585)
- Adv Healthc Mater (2024): Neutrophil Granulopoiesis Optimized Through Ex Vivo Expansion of Hematopoietic Progenitors in Engineered 3D Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogels. (PubMed: 38345178)
- Nat Commun (2022): An NKX-COUP-TFII morphogenetic code directs mucosal endothelial addressin expression. (PubMed: 36460642)
- Cell Rep (2023): The sinoatrial node extracellular matrix promotes pacemaker phenotype and protects automaticity in engineered heart tissues from cyclic strain. (PubMed: 38041810)
- Tissue Eng Part B Rev (2024): Tissue-Engineered Three-Dimensional Platforms for Disease Modeling and Therapeutic Development. (PubMed: 39345164)
