Training Grant in Circadian and Sleep Research-Resubmission

Northwestern University At Chicago, Evanston IL

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

This is a renewal application of an established NHLBI- sponsored T32, “Training Grant in Circadian and Sleep Research”, to train predoctoral and postdoctoral students and fellows at Northwestern University. The integration of circadian biology and sleep research has been the cornerstone of this Training Program from its inception in 1998. Dr. Fred Turek will be one of the Program Directors of this T32 Program, which he has been for 25 years. Dr. Phyllis Zee will also be one of the two Program Directors (Multiple PI), in order to provide leadership for increasing clinical research training in Circadian Biology and Sleep Research for Fellows and residents at the Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM) who will become leading physician scientists as their careers develop. Dr. Zee has been a preceptor on this T32 grant from its beginning and has been a PD with Dr. Turek for the past 5 years. The T32 Program will involve 25 Primary Training Faculty who have their primary appointments in either basic science or clinical departments. The increased number of preceptors on this T32 parallels the growth of circadian and sleep research programs of faculty in multiple departments at Northwestern. The proposed Training Program will offer predoctoral and postdoctoral students interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary training in a wide range of scientific disciplines that are highly relevant to understanding the function, regulation and health implications of sleep and circadian rhythmicity. Central to this Program is the training of students in modern basic science, translational research as well as patient-oriented research. As our nation is facing unprecedented epidemics of obesity, diabetes and their cardiovascular consequences, as well as in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, the Training Program proposed in the present application is uniquely positioned to train an interdisciplinary workforce of academic and industry investigators, as well as government decision makers, to address the roles of sleep disturbances and circadian dysfunction in these public health challenges. Our Program will enable trainees to integrate cutting edge approaches and techniques in the areas of genetics, genomics, microbiomics, endocrinology, metabolism, pharmacology, neurobiology, pulmonology, cognitive neuroscience, gerontology, and gastroenterology into their training in sleep and circadian research. Because the preceptors are actively involved in research at the molecular, cellular, systems, behavioral, and epidemiological levels, trainees will be trained in a rich environment of research activities at all levels of biological organization. We are requesting support from this T32 renewal for 4 predoctoral students and 3 postdoctoral fellows for each of the five years. We anticipate the training period will be 2-3 years for each student/fellow, although it may be less if a trainee obtains individual support through other funding sources: all appointed trainees are required to apply for individual support during their tenure on this T32. It should be noted that the NU graduate school will provide support for an additional 2 predoctoral students in each of the next 5 years.