An Interdisciplinary Molecular Metabolism Training Program

Metabolism is required for life and as such impinges on almost every physiological and disease state. Currently, there is a strong need for training in metabolism-based research, as we face alarming increases in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome stemming from the obesity epidemic, as well as rising rates of type 1 diabetes. Now, there is a realization that regulation of metabolism is much more complex when considered at the molecular, cellular and/or systemic levels. Yet, despite this gap in knowledge, there are relatively few predoctoral training programs specializing in the study of the metabolic and molecular basis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity and other metabolic diseases such as the proposed Molecular Metabolism Training Program (MMTP). There is a need to bring through the next generation of metabolism researchers, so that these diseases can be better understood, alleviated, treated, and even prevented. The overall goal of the MMTP is to harness unique training capabilities at the University of Chicago through the graduate Committee system, to identify and train motivated, creative and thoughtful predoctoral students from a variety of biological backgrounds to receive intensive training to better understand and address the causes of metabolic diseases. The MMTP will be administratively housed in the established PhD granting Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition (CMMN), but will be able to draw from multiple other graduate programs throughout the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) with a common and sole focus on the study of diabetes, obesity and metabolic disease. The MMTP will play a critical part in the orchestra training predoctoral students throughout the BSD at the University of Chicago to become the next generation of metabolic researchers.