EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED. This is the renewal of a highly successful training program that has been in force for 22 years. The goal of this program is to train talented young scientists for research careers in reproductive biology. The predoctoralprogram combines formal classroom work with less formal seminars, teaching experience and state-of-the-art training in research laboratories that prepare students for careers in reproductive research. The postdoctoral fellows devote the majority of their time to research, but audit courses as needed, attend seminar series and audit a course on writing grants. Supported by nearly $10 million in research funds, the faculty has been selected for interests and expertise that fall in three broad areas that cover the most important approaches to studying reproductivebiology. These are: 1, the endocrine group; 2, reproductive processes; 3, transgenic animal studies. The endocrine group studies the mechanisms of action of molecules important for reproduction and particularly the function of steroid receptors and their associated coactivators and corepressors. The reproductive processes group studies the regulation of genes and biological processes in reproductive tissues and systems including ovary, testis,mammary gland, oocytes, prostate, and spermatogenesis. The transgenic group uses transgenic approaches to knock out/overexpress proteins involved in reproduction to elucidate the roles of these proteins in vivo. Experimental approaches range from cutting edge techniques in molecular biology, protein chemistry, and microscopy to tissue specific knockouts using CRE recombinase, targeted overexpression and regulated gene expression in mice facilitating analysis of reproductive function at all levels. The program is designed for six predoctoral students and five postdoctoral fellows (1 with 0 yrs experience, 2 with 1 year, 1 with 2 years, and 1 with 3 years). Predoctoral training is typically five years with the last four years of support from the grant. Postdoctoral training is for up to three years, but many fellows are awarded individual fellowships limiting their support on this grant. In addition to the research facilities of the individual laboratories, trainees have access to both departmental and school-wide core facilities for cell culture, integrated microscopy,transgenic animals, protein chemistry, mass spectrometry,flow cytometry, and the molecular biology computation resource. These provide state-of-the-art equipment and assistance in the use of these techniques. Collectively, the faculty and resources provide outstanding preparation for a career in reproductive biology. PERFORMANCE SITE ========================================Section End===========================================
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