The Berkeley Stem Cell Center’s CIRM Scholars training program has the dual goals of training the next generation of leaders in regenerative medicine and simultaneously supporting cutting edge research in stem cell biology and gene therapy. Following a competitive fellowship application process the program appointed a diverse and talented initial cohort of CIRM Scholars, including two physicians and four PhDs. Several are focused on engineering improved gene therapy methods, including enabling the use of larger and more robust gene editing molecules, targeting these tools to specific cell types in the brain, and honing gene editing and transplantation strategies to cure sickle cell disease. Another fellow is developing methods to detect subtle but functionally significant differences in seemingly identical cells by simultaneously measuring levels of specific protein and messenger RNAs. Two fellows’ projects seek a deeper understanding of fundamental regulatory principles controlling embryogenesis and neural stem cell differentiation. The CIRM Scholars’ wide range of backgrounds and expertise contributes to a learning environment of scientific excellence and motivation to address currently unmet medical needs.
In addition to intensive laboratory research the CIRM Scholars training program includes monthly fellows’ meetings and courses in stem cell biology, biomedical entrepreneurship and ethical, legal and social issues underlying development and deployment of stem cell and gene editing-based therapies. A formal seminar and discussion course covering modern approaches to stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and gene therapy was developed for this program and debuted during the past year. Also during the past year, CIRM Scholars presented their research at local and national meetings and enabled undergraduate students to experience scientific discovery firsthand by serving as laboratory mentors. The program seeks to improve in response to trainee and advisory committee feedback and looks forward to expanding to its full size by appointing its second cohort of trainees in early 2023.
Reporting Period:
Year 2
The Berkeley Stem Cell Center’s CIRM Scholars training program has the goal of training the next generation of leaders in regenerative medicine while supporting cutting edge research in stem cell biology and gene therapy. During year two, the program appointed its first full cohort of CIRM Scholars, a diverse group that includes eight postdoctoral fellows, two predoctoral fellows and one MD-clinical fellow. Several are focused on engineering improved gene therapy methods, including broader and more precise gene editing capabilities and honing gene editing and transplantation strategies to cure sickle cell disease. Other projects seek a deeper understanding of fundamental regulatory principles controlling embryogenesis, neural stem cell differentiation, fat metabolism and anti-viral immune responses. The CIRM Scholars’ wide range of backgrounds and expertise contributes to a learning environment of scientific excellence and motivation to address currently unmet medical needs.
In addition to intensive laboratory research the CIRM Scholars training program includes monthly fellows’ meetings and courses in stem cell biology, biomedical entrepreneurship and ethical, legal and social issues underlying development and deployment of stem cell and gene editing-based therapies. During the past year CIRM Scholars also presented their research at local and national meetings, participated in community outreach activities and mentored undergraduate students who were experiencing scientific discovery firsthand through laboratory research projects.
Reporting Period:
Year 3
The Berkeley Stem Cell Center’s CIRM Scholars training program has the goal of training the next generation of leaders in regenerative medicine while supporting cutting edge research in stem cell biology and gene therapy. During year three, the program supported a full cohort of CIRM Scholars, a diverse group that includes nine postdoctoral fellows, three predoctoral fellows and one MD-clinical fellow. Several are focused on improving genome engineering and gene therapy methods to develop broader and more precise gene editing capabilities and more specific targeting of individual cell types. Additional areas of disease-focused investigation include cancer immunotherapy, and telomerase dysfunction in cancer and bone marrow failure syndromes. Other projects seek a deeper understanding of fundamental regulatory principles controlling embryogenesis, neural stem cell differentiation, fat metabolism, anti-viral immune responses. The CIRM Scholars’ wide range of backgrounds and expertise contributes to a learning environment of scientific excellence and motivation to address currently unmet medical needs.
In addition to intensive laboratory research the CIRM Scholars training program includes monthly fellows’ meetings and courses in stem cell biology, biomedical entrepreneurship and ethical, legal and social issues underlying development and deployment of stem cell and gene editing-based therapies. During the past year CIRM Scholars also presented their research at local and national meetings, participated in community outreach activities and mentored undergraduate students who were experiencing scientific discovery firsthand through laboratory research projects.
Reporting Period:
Year 4
The Berkeley Stem Cell Center’s CIRM Scholars training program has the goal of training the next generation of leaders in regenerative medicine while supporting cutting edge research in stem cell biology and gene therapy. During year four, the program supported a full cohort of CIRM Scholars, a diverse group that includes ten postdoctoral and three predoctoral CIRM Scholars. Several are focused on improving genome engineering and gene therapy methods to develop broader and more precise gene editing capabilities and more specific targeting of individual cell types. Additional areas of disease-focused investigation include cancer immunotherapy, and telomerase dysfunction in cancer and bone marrow failure syndromes. Other projects seek to interrogate causes of aging-associated metabolic disease, and to gain deeper understanding of fundamental regulatory principles controlling embryogenesis and neural and cardiac muscle cell differentiation. The CIRM Scholars’ wide range of backgrounds and expertise contributes to a learning environment of scientific excellence and motivation to address currently unmet medical needs.
In addition to intensive laboratory research the CIRM Scholars training program includes monthly fellows’ meetings and courses in stem cell biology, biomedical entrepreneurship and ethical, legal and social issues underlying development and deployment of stem cell and gene editing-based therapies. During the past year CIRM Scholars also presented their research at local and national meetings, participated in community outreach activities and mentored undergraduate students who were experiencing scientific discovery firsthand through laboratory research projects.
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
Training the Next Generation of Biologists and Engineers for Regenerative Medicine
Public Abstract:
This interdisciplinary training program: ”Training the Next Generation of Biologists and Engineers for Regenerative Medicine” will provide academic and research opportunities in the basic biology of stem cells, bioengineering, genome engineering and gene therapy for a total of a total of 28 CIRM Scholars, including 4 predoctoral, 22 postdoctoral and 2 clinical fellows, over the five year funding period. A particular strength of the program is in bringing together trainees from engineering and basic biology laboratories in collaborative projects to create new devices and improve cell culturing technology, understand the biological basis of stem cell differentiation, aging and disease, and develop curative gene therapies.
Trainees of this program will benefit from the outstanding graduate programs, research faculty, laboratories, core facilities and student/postdoc career and diversity support resources available at our institution. Application and recruitment processes are designed to ensure an exceptional and diverse group of trainees. Program coursework will include current topics in basic and translational stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, mentored practice in research presentation, career development, entrepreneurship, and ethical, legal and social aspects of pluripotent stem cell and genome editing technologies. All CIRM Scholars will engage in community outreach, interaction with patient advocates and diversity enhancement activities as a core element of their training. At the conclusion of their training, program alumni will be well prepared to become leaders in applying 21st century technology to furthering basic discovery, engineering innovation, and cures for currently unmet medical needs.
Statement of Benefit to California:
Education is the engine of California’s innovation economy. The proposed program will benefit the people of California by helping to develop a brilliant and diverse group of young scientists into the next generation of leaders in regenerative medicine and biotechnology, who will communicate effectively with the general public, contribute to educational and healthcare equity for all Californians, and deeply appreciate the urgent need for cures.
