Interdisciplinary Training in Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Support is requested for a training program in microbial pathogenesis and immunology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). This interdisciplinary area of research requires a cadre of interactive faculty with diverse expertise to recruit and train young scientists in all modern aspects of host-microbial interactions. Funds are requested for the support of 4 predoctoral and 2 postdoctoral trainees. The participating faculty consists of 27 members of OHSU that were selected among a pool of more than 50 available faculty based on the criteria explained in the application. Many of these investigators have primary or secondary appointments in the Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, in the School of Dentistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Cell Development and Cancer Biology, and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute. Thus, the necessary infrastructure in which diverse basic scientists and physician-scientists with common interests can collaborate to provide training opportunities in basic and translational research is established. The broad research programs of the participating faculty include the use of a number of vertebrate and invertebrate model hosts, the use of genetic and genomic technologies to study microbial pathogenesis and immunology, and the study of the influence of the immune system on susceptibility to infections and inflammatory disorders. In addition to an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions, the training program will offer innovative research experiences that take advantage of state-of-the- art technologies and numerous career-enhancing opportunities. The primary focus of this proposal remains the training of the next generation of scientists with an interest in microbial pathogenesis and immunology; however, there is an increasing necessity to provide training in alternative careers that will be addressed herein. Our trainees will also have the unique opportunity to obtain direct clinical experiences through the Infectious Disease Internship Program. OHSU has a number of outreach programs for underrepresented minorities that will be used to recruit a diverse group of trainees. Unfortunately, we lack a formal training mechanism for our existing predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees interested in the study of microbial pathogenesis and immunology. This training grant will help to rectify this situation and further enhance microbiology and immunology at OHSU by providing a vibrant research community with the needed infrastructure to train predoctoral and postdoctoral students in this area of research.