The current proposal seeks renewal of the biotechnology training program in Cellular and Biosurface Engineering (CBE) at Duke University. The objective of the biotechnology training program in CBE is to provide classroom, laboratory, and research predoctoral training in the design, manipulation, and quantitative characterization of biomolecules, cells and tissues. The training program in CBE involves 32 faculty with primary appointments in one of three academic departments of Duke University (Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science), one of three basic medical science departments the Duke University Medical Center (Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Neurobiology), or one of four clinical departments of the Duke University Medical Center (Medicine, Orthopedics, Radiation Oncology, and Surgery). All CBE predoctoral trainees are thus subject to the degree requirements of the University and their home department, in addition to the requirements of the CBE certificate program. Since the program began in July 1994, 24 students have received predoctoral traineeships in CBE, 14 in BME, 5 in ME&MS, 2 in Chemistry and one each in Biochemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cell Biology, and Zoology. Nine training grant fellows have received CBE Certificates with their doctorates, three received their Certificates in spring 2001, and eight trainees are continuing toward their doctorate in the Center. CBE predoctoral trainees are required to (1) perform research that is interdisciplinary in nature and is important to the development of medical biotechnology, (2) have at least two Center faculty on their doctoral dissertation committee, (3) take a project-based core course that provides an overview of biotechnology, (4) select four engineering courses from a menu of classes that provide breadth in CBE [trainees entering the program from a non-engineering discipline select two engineering classes], (5) take two advanced courses in the biomedical sciences relevant to CBE, (6) participate in an interdisciplinary CBE seminar series, (7) participate in a three-month industrial biotechnology internship, and (8) undergo training in research ethics and acceptable laboratory practices. The current level of NIH support is 8 fellowships. This renewal requests a modest increase in support to 9 fellows in year 1, 10 fellows in year 2, and 12 fellows in years 3-5. Justification for the increased fellowships centers on the expansion of the Department of Biomedical Engineering by eight new faculty members over the next three years, relocation of BME into a new and expanded facility, and the accompanying growth in the graduate student population from its current level of 90 to over 140. Several of these new arrivals will be heavily invested in biotechnology research and training. Although this increase would more than consume the additional fellowships, we intend to re-double our efforts to recruit students from non-BME departments. This be aided by a recently agreed upon restructured financing of the Center by the Graduate School.
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