In recent years, cancer research has entered an exciting new era in which a number of highly effective, non-toxic targeted cancer therapies have been developed based on improved understanding of the molecular underpinnings of cancer. Fundamental knowledge about the biology of cancer has burgeoned, but the translation of basic science discoveries to clinical advancements is slow and inefficient. The translation of molecular insights into clinical trials requires that teams of physician and scientists with diverse training work together. The objective of the Translational Research in Oncology Training (TROT) Program is to give Trainees at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) a solid foundation in the field of oncology research, while exposing them to the clinical care enterprise, so that they may make a vibrant link between clinical and basic research. The ultimate goal of the Program is to support the development of PhD scientists who possess the complex knowledge of their basic science discipline, but who additionally possess the ability to translate their research into clinically meaningful application. This Program will provide Trainees with the intensive training, resources, and experience necessary for them to develop successful careers in academia, government, and industry as independent translational researchers and leaders. Each year the TROT program accepts four PhD postdoctoral fellows into the program for a two year period. Two of the four fellows are supported by the T32. For this renewal we are requesting one additional salary line to be paid by the T32 to accommodate our highly competitive and growing program. At the end of their training period, fellows are expected to be prepared to apply for other federal or foundation grants and matriculate into independent positions as translational research scientists. The objectives are achieved by providing a structured learning environment where the Trainee conducts a project under the mentorship of a successful, independent translational researcher. Didactic sessions, seminar series, and a retreat reinforce their scientific training. Trainees have the opportunity to observe patient interactions and procedures, and learn about cancer diagnoses and staging through a rotation in Pathology. Each trainee is paired with a clinical advisor who provides guidance, from a clinical perspective, on the Trainee's research project.
Specific aims : To provide broad and intensive translational research training for PhDs by offering enhanced opportunities to orient their research to biomedically relevant problems. To prepare Trainees to successfully collaborate during their career with researchers with different backgrounds. To prepare and assist Trainees to successfully transition to research independence.

Public Health Relevance

This training program for translational cancer research provides opportunities to postdoctoral PhD trainees to learn about human oncology and pathogenesis, and work collaboratively with clinicians to advance the treatment of cancer patients. The goals are: to help basic scientists to develop a strong clinical background so that they may effectively bring discoveries from bench to bedside; and to foster interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32CA160001-09
Application #
9749035
Study Section
Subcommittee I - Transistion to Independence (NCI)
Program Officer
Lim, Susan E
Project Start
2011-07-11
Project End
2021-07-31
Budget Start
2019-08-01
Budget End
2020-07-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
064931884
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10065
Reiter, Johannes G; Makohon-Moore, Alvin P; Gerold, Jeffrey M et al. (2018) Minimal functional driver gene heterogeneity among untreated metastases. Science 361:1033-1037
Turcan, Sevin; Makarov, Vladimir; Taranda, Julian et al. (2018) Mutant-IDH1-dependent chromatin state reprogramming, reversibility, and persistence. Nat Genet 50:62-72
Makohon-Moore, Alvin P; Matsukuma, Karen; Zhang, Ming et al. (2018) Precancerous neoplastic cells can move through the pancreatic ductal system. Nature 561:201-205
Ruscetti, Marcus; Leibold, Josef; Bott, Matthew J et al. (2018) NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity contributes to tumor control by a cytostatic drug combination. Science 362:1416-1422
Yin, Q; Hung, S-C; Rathmell, W K et al. (2018) Integrative radiomics expression predicts molecular subtypes of primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Clin Radiol 73:782-791
Zafra, Maria Paz; Schatoff, Emma M; Katti, Alyna et al. (2018) Optimized base editors enable efficient editing in cells, organoids and mice. Nat Biotechnol 36:888-893
Yin, Qingbo; Hung, Sheng-Che; Wang, Li et al. (2017) Associations between Tumor Vascularity, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression and PET/MRI Radiomic Signatures in Primary Clear-Cell-Renal-Cell-Carcinoma: Proof-of-Concept Study. Sci Rep 7:43356
Makohon-Moore, Alvin P; Zhang, Ming; Reiter, Johannes G et al. (2017) Limited heterogeneity of known driver gene mutations among the metastases of individual patients with pancreatic cancer. Nat Genet 49:358-366
Cook, Peter J; Thomas, Rozario; Kannan, Ram et al. (2017) Somatic chromosomal engineering identifies BCAN-NTRK1 as a potent glioma driver and therapeutic target. Nat Commun 8:15987
Vakiani, Efsevia; Shah, Ronak H; Berger, Michael F et al. (2017) Local recurrences at the anastomotic area are clonally related to the primary tumor in sporadic colorectal carcinoma. Oncotarget 8:42487-42494

Showing the most recent 10 out of 45 publications