Training the Next Generation of Biologists and Engineers for Regenerative Medicine
Grant Award Details
Grant Type:
Grant Number:
EDUC4-12790
Investigator(s):
Award Value:
$5,327,980
Status:
Active
Progress Reports
Reporting Period:
Year 1
Reporting Period:
Year 2
Reporting Period:
Year 3
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.
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.
Publications
- Nat Commun (2025): Double-strand break repair pathways differentially affect processing and transduction by dual AAV vectors. (PubMed: 39934106)
- Elife (2025): eIF3 engages with 3′-UTR termini of highly translated mRNAs. (PubMed: 39879133)
- Sci Adv (2024): Optimal trade-off control in machine learning-based library design, with application to adeno-associated virus (AAV) for gene therapy. (PubMed: 38266077)
- Cell (2024): Rapid DNA unwinding accelerates genome editing by engineered CRISPR-Cas9. (PubMed: 38781968)