Predoctoral Training at the Chemistry-Biology Interface

University Of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA

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Abstract

Enter the text here that is the new abstract information for your application. This section must be no longer than 30 lines of text. The goal of the CBI Training Program is to provide students with the intellectual and technical skills that are necessary to solve important and complex biological problems that can be most effectively addressed by studies at the chemistry-biology interface. We are focusing on the mechanistic chemistry of biomolecules that have implications for impacting human health and treatment of disease. This is a theme that is of interest to a significant population of students on campus and serves as an excellent system for the application of tools at the chemistry-biology interface to solve important biological problems. The program creates a group of chemists and biologists who can speak the same language and thereby function effectively in multidisciplinary teams. The Program involves 41 participating faculty from two separate Schools within the University of Pennsylvania, The Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) and The School of Arts and Sciences (SAS). Participating students come primarily from two graduate groups that span institution and school boundaries, the Graduate Group in Chemistry (in SAS) and the Graduate Group in Biochemistry, Biophysics & Chemical Biology (BBCB in PSOM). To ensure that students carry out research within the scope of the training program, students are selected for the program after they have chosen a thesis laboratory and project and generally in their second year. To ensure chemistry-biology interface training and cross-fertilization between the chemistry and biology students that participate in the program, students participate in the following activities: (1) research at the chemistry-biology interface, (2) didactic course-work dealing with the chemistry and biology of proteins, nucleic acids and small biomolecules, including a literature-based component, (3) an annual student-run Chemical Biophysics mini-symposia series, (4) twice monthly student luncheons involving student research and career development presentations, (5) an annual Chemistry-Biology Interface retreat, (6) an annual mid-Atlantic Frontiers at the Chemistry-Biology Interface Symposium, and (7) a structured career development plan. The program also has effective mechanisms in place for the recruitment and retention of students in the sciences, and for student instruction in the responsible conduct of research. We request funds for a steady state predoctoral training group of ~ 40 students, including 8 who are funded primarily during years 2 and 3. Oversite of the Training Program is by the Co-PIs, Ronen Marmorstein and E. James Petersson, with input from Chemistry (SAS) and BBCB (PSOM) External Advisory Committees and Internal CBI Training Committee, comprised of roughly equal faculty representation from the two participating schools and trainee representatives, which meets every 6 months. The CBI Training Committee votes on the selection of students for funded training slot positions, ensuring that highly qualified students are appointed, and administering other functions of the program.