Training in Regenerative Medicine

The Center of Regenerative Medicine (CRM) at Washington University in St. Louis supports an interdisciplinary post-doctoral T32 program focused on training in regenerative medicine (TRM T32). Breakthroughs in various bioengineering and stem cell technologies over the past decade have provided unprecedented opportunities for the development of new regenerative technologies, yet there is a lack of individuals who have received formal interdisciplinary training. This program is used to implement an integrated training structure that provides a unique, multidisciplinary experience for post-doctoral fellows in the development of new bioengineering approaches and platform technologies for applications in one of 4 research thrusts: 1) Development in the context of regeneration; 2) Cell fate engineering; 3) Biomaterials for cell and tissue engineering; and 4) Molecules, genes, and cells as regenerative therapeutics. The program involves 52 faculty mentors from 13 departments and 12 divisions, spanning the School of Medicine, the McKelvey School of Engineering, and College of Arts and Sciences at Washington University. Trainees are co-mentored by engineering and non-engineering faculty and guided by a mentoring committee. An integral aspect of this training program is the creation of a formal training plan for each individual trainee, based on a self-assessment of skills and career goals (the Individual Development Plan). Interdisciplinary training in regenerative medicine is supplemented by formal coursework and intensive workshops in complementary areas, including statistical analysis, writing, and mandatory training in research ethics, rigor, and reproducibility. We also take advantage of several long-standing and successful initiatives at Washington University to enhance the recruitment of top participants. The primary goal of this postdoctoral program is to develop highly trained individuals who can produce impactful research in regenerative medicine. Our unique interdisciplinary training approach aims to support and accelerate the discovery of transformative technologies and therapeutics for the improvement of human health.