Environment
Training
(http://www.uiowa.edu/homepage/academics/index.html)Training opportunities at both predoctoral and postdoctoral levels in the field of gene therapy research abound within diverse laboratories and departments at the University of Iowa. The academic culture here has long been one of collaboration, cross-fertilization and sharing of resources and expertise. In this tradition, there are many interdisciplinary graduate programs with faculty research advisers in many academic and clinical departments of the University with relevance to gene therapy of cystic fibrosis and other genetic diseases. These programs supplement and extend the excellent individual departmental graduate programs. Brief summaries of several pertinent programs are provided. Researchers interested in postdoctoral training are invited to contact the Administrative Core of the Center for Gene Therapy, or individual center members (refer to the Center Members and Contacts section of this web site) for more information.
Links to Various Departmental Training Programs:
Anatomy and Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Biological Sciences
Immunology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Physiology and Biophysics
Post-doctoral and Graduate Training Programs at University of Iowa
Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy Ph.D. Training Program
Students in the Anatomy and Cell Biology Graduate Program benefit from integrated training in human structural anatomy and cell biology as a foundation for careers in research concerning the molecular mechanisms of human diseases. This training program for Ph.D. scientists reflects a global approach toward understanding the human body, organ function, and disease pathophysiology, while providing the molecular training essential for the development of successful careers in research. Through such broad-based training, students develop a comprehensive view of human disease pathophysiology and molecular medicine.
Predoctoral Training Program in Immunology
The ultimate goal of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology is to develop the capabilities of its students to become successful independent investigators in the variety of careers available in basic and applied immunology. The major focus of the training program is intensive laboratory research conducted under the guidance and mentorship of outstanding faculty immunologists. Complementary aspects of the program include coursework that stresses hypothesis generation and critical analysis skills, a rigorous research-oriented comprehensive examination, training in ethical issues facing biomedical scientists, and ample opportunities to gain proficiency in scientific writing and speaking.
Research Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology
The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology administers this training program, which and has a very diverse group of 60 trainers across 15 basic and clinical science departments. Faculty interests span a broad spectrum of basic research areas: cell growth & differentiation, cell organization & trafficking, gene expression & regulation, molecular medicine, signal transduction mechanisms, structural biology & function and virology. The long-term objective of this training program is to identify the most accomplished young researchers and to provide them with a balanced and cohesive curriculum in molecular and cellular biology, as well as extensive research experiences that prepares them for success as they become our next generation of investigators in this area.
Predoctoral Training in the Pharmacological Sciences
The principal goal of this training grant is to promote the interdisciplinary training of graduate students in pharmacological sciences. Its secondary goal is to foster interactions among faculty and students from different departments that share an interest in the pharmacological sciences. The 42 trainers on this training grant are drawn from 10 different PhD-granting programs and three different colleges, consistent with its focus on interdisciplinary training. Faculty representation is well balanced at all academic levels. All senior trainers have excellent records of training graduate students and maintain highly productive research programs. They also serve as mentors to junior faculty of great promise and potential.
Institutional NRSA: Multidisciplinary Lung Research Career Development Program
The University of Iowa’s Multidisciplinary Lung Research Career Development Program trains highly motivated pre- and postdoctoral trainees for innovative and significant careers in lung disease research. The program offers trainees a curriculum that includes structured coursework and provides basic and clinical research training, close supervision and guidance by a multidisciplinary group of mentors, and the opportunity to train in a variety of university research disciplines, including those traditionally under-represented in lung research training (such as radiology, nursing, and pediatrics). Trainees also have access to the breadth of resources and facilities that make the University of Iowa a top-ranked institution in lung health science research, including a number of well-funded multidisciplinary research programs.
Medical Scientist Training Program
The University of Iowa Medical Scientist Training Program is a structured, yet flexible, program with a mission of providing outstanding training in both clinical medicine and scientific investigation for well-qualified students who are interested in pursuing careers as physician-scientists. Students are selected from a national pool of highly qualified applicants who have a demonstrated record of scientific involvement. The Iowa MSTP is an integrated training program, such that students are never just medical students or just graduate students. This is accomplished by several thoughtfully designed initiatives that connect scientific investigation with clinical medicine.
Program in Hematology: Molecular & Cell Biology Blood Cells
The program has as its primary objective to prepare MD, MD/PhD, and PhD postdoctoral fellows for productive careers as academic scientists and physician-scientists. The specific objectives are: 1) to identify and recruit outstanding postdoctoral trainees, inclusive of gender and ethnicity, who wish to obtain comprehensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of basic or translational research related to hematology; 2) to attract highly motivated clinicians to embark on careers as physician-scientists and provide them with comprehensive instruction in the design and implementation of high-quality research projects, including participation in cross-disciplinary research teams; 3) to train physician-scientists for academic careers in hematology and related scientific disciplines, and prepare them for a successful transition to independence; and 4) to expose talented Ph.D. scientists to the field of hematology and train them for careers as independent investigators.
Predoctoral Training Program in Genetics
The Interdisciplinary Training Program in Genetics has been in existence for twenty-one years and unites faculty from eight departments and two colleges in a program that provides outstanding educational opportunities for students interested in a broad range of genetics subdisciplines. We have substantial and increasing strengths in developmental genetics, eukaryotic gene expression, microbial genetics, plant genetics, yeast genetics, Drosophila genetics, and human genetics. Since 1990, the university has provided bridging support for the genetics Ph.D. program, with an increased number of allocations for first-year student stipends and support for administrative costs and the recruitment of students.
Training in Kidney Disease, Hypertension, Cell Biology
The major objective of this program is to provide an intense research experience through close interaction with an established investigator to study an area relevant to kidney disease and hypertension. Trainees may be located in a preceptor’s laboratory in either a clinical science department or basic science department. This training program is comprised of four general components: 1) cell biology, 2) urology, 3) hypertension, and 4) clinical investigation. Each of these program areas has a group leader with nationally recognized expertise in that particular field.
Neuroscience Training Program
The Neuroscience Training Program grant supports broad-based, fundamental, predoctoral (pre-thesis) training in neuroscience at the University of Iowa. The Program draws on a long-standing tradition of close interactions among scientists with primary appointments in basic and clinical departments, and on their availability to mentor students, formally and by example, in the interplay between basic and clinical research.
Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Fellowship
This Program Project Grant focuses on Integrative Neurobiology of Cardiovascular Regulation. It has represented the major scientific emphasis of the Cardiovascular Research Center at Iowa since 1971. The strengths of this program are based on its stability and productivity, the cohesion of its senior leadership and continuous efforts to link molecular biology to integrative neurobiology and mechanisms of cardiovascular disease.
Interdisciplinary Immunology Postdoctoral Training
The objective of this training program is to produce first-rate independent immunologist investigators to pursue academic careers. The core of the program is a 90% time commitment to immunology research experience under the supervision of a preceptor who is an outstanding immunology researcher with current external research funding, enthusiasm for mentoring, and who has trained at least one investigator currently holding a faculty position.
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Training Programs
The College of Medicine also offers various interdisciplinary biomedical training programs here at the University of Iowa. Brief summaries of pertinent programs are provided below.
Interdisciplinary Biosciences Graduate Program
The Biosciences Program provides graduate students the freedom to explore research training in any of the 14 University bioscience research departments or programs: the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, the Department of Biochemistry, the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Microbiology, the Department of Pharmacology, the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, the Program in Free Radical & Radiation Biology, the Program in Genetics, the Program in Human Toxicology, the Program in Immunology, the Program in Microbiology, the Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, the Program in Neuroscience and the Program in Pharmacology and Speech and Hearing. Students enjoy the flexibility of investigating several disciplines before deciding on a thesis project that leads to the Ph.D. degree, by performing three research rotations in the laboratories of any of the Biosciences Program faculty, regardless of their departmental or program affiliation. Following completion of the first year, graduate students are expected to select a research laboratory and program affiliation.
Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship Program
The DDCRF Program allows medical students to take a year-long break from their formal training to pursue a clinical research project. The University of Iowa offers fellows the opportunity to train with outstanding mentors in virtually every clinical science department and discipline. Each year the University of Iowa DDCRF enrolls at least five medical students. Fellows are carefully matched with outstanding clinical researchers to ensure a positive and productive experience. Medical students from any U.S. medical school may apply.
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics
The University of Iowa Genetics Graduate Program is a broad-based discipline that incorporates cutting-edge techniques to answer the foremost questions facing biology, medicine, evolution, and bioinformatics. A combination of core and elective courses, together with hands-on laboratory experience, provide a strong base for Ph.D. thesis research. A newly established Computational Genetics Subtrack brings state-of-the-art computer technology to the study of modern genetics. Forty-five faculty members participate in the Genetics Ph.D. mentor group. Their interests represent all areas of modern genetics research. Areas of emphasis include computational genetics, developmental genetics, gene expression, human genetics, molecular and biochemical genetics and evolutionary genetics.
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology
The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology at The University of Iowa was organized in 1993 to bring together faculty from five departments that share a common interest in teaching students and performing research in immunobiology. The Program offers classroom and research training leading to a Ph.D. degree, which prepares the student for a career in academic research, industry, or teaching. The learning experience is enhanced by an outstanding seminar series and journal clubs at which the most current immunology research is discussed. Approximately six students are admitted each year, with financial aid available to all those entering the program.
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology
The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology at The University of Iowa provides for broad training in molecular & cellular biology. The university-wide nature of this program permits training and research opportunities in the laboratories of the faculty members who participate in the program. Currently the program faculty represents the departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Internal Medicine, Microbiology, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics and Radiology.
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience
The Iowa Neuroscience Graduate Program, established in 1984, formalizes the long-standing, interdisciplinary commitment of a diverse faculty. The Program promotes interaction among faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students, and fosters a congenial and collaborative environment for investigating the structure and function of the nervous system and its role in determining behavior.
Graduate Program in Translational Biomedicine
The University of Iowa’s Post-Graduate Program in Translational Biomedicine is supported by an interdisciplinary core of faculty from The University of Iowa’s Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Engineering and Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Program offers clinical scholars either a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Translational Biomedicine, with the first year of training exclusively devoted to didactic course work, and subsequent years focused on hands-on clinical research.