This proposal is a competing continuation of a T-32 Institutional Training Grant in Tissue Engineering and Regeneration (DE07057-40). Since its inception, over 100 trainees have completed this Program (91% completion %), with 86% in a research intensive career. A primary goal of modern dentistry and medicine is to predictably restore tissues and organs that have been lost due to pathology, trauma, or congenital abnormalities. Recent advances in understanding the factors, cells and mechanisms regulating tissue function, coupled with new materials science and other engineering technologies available for delivery of agents to sites of repair have provided the tools required for researchers to focus on designing tissue engineered products for therapeutic use. These efforts require an interdisciplinary approach, with involvement of biomedical scientists, engineers, and clinical researchers. TEAM (Tissue Engineering at Michigan), a Training Program in tissue engineering and regeneration, was developed with recognition of the need to train individuals in these various disciplines and of the need to ensure active exchange of ideas between individuals across disciplines. The goal of our Program is to provide an interdisciplinary research-intensive training environment for a diverse set of individuals who wish to pursue research-intensive careers in the Oral Sciences, with a focus in the area of restoration of oral-craniofacial tissues. This goal is achieved by providing core course work, research training, seminars, journal clubs, career development and intellectual interplay at the intersection of the life sciences, engineering and clinical dentistry. This comprehensive Program has built-in flexibility, providing intensive training opportunities in both basic biomedical and clinical science, enabling trainees to work at the interface of clinical and basic science. Specific programs (2 yrs) include: 1) DSTP (4 slots); 2) Ph.D. (5 slots), and 3) Post-doctoral Fellow (2 slots). Trainees will be selected based on strong academic records, research potential, recommendation letters and commitment to a research career focused in oral science, with an emphasis on tissue engineering and regeneration. Specific efforts will be made to recruit individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as disadvantaged and disabled individuals. TEAM is a multidisciplinary program that spans across departmental and school boundaries, thus providing trainees the flexibility to choose mentors across departments and campuses. TEAM involves three schools on campus, the School of Dentistry, Medical School, and College of Engineering, where in addition to the core curriculum in Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, didactic training will be provided through departments at these schools. All trainees will receive formal instruction in responsible conduct of research. The University of Michigan recognizes the importance of quality training programs and is committed to training oral scientists as independent researchers and life-long learners, thus developing a diverse and highly qualified workforce that significantly impacts oral health.
A primary goal of modern dentistry and medicine is to predictably restore tissues and organs that have been lost due to pathology, trauma, or congenital abnormalities. Recent advances in the life sciences and engineering have provided the tools required for researchers to focus on designing 'tissue engineered products' for therapeutic use. These efforts require an interdisciplinary approach, with involvement of biomedical scientists, engineers, and clinical researchers. The goal of this Training Program in tissue engineering and regeneration is to provide an interdisciplinary research-intensive training environment for individuals who wish to pursue careers in the Oral Sciences, with a focus in the area of restoration of oral- craniofacial tissues. This comprehensive Program involves the School of Dentistry, Medical School, and College of Engineering, and spans across departmental and school boundaries, providing intensive training opportunities in both basic biomedical and clinical science. DDS/Ph.D. dual degree, Ph.D., and Post-doctoral Fellows will be trained. Our commitment to training oral scientists as independent researchers and life-long learners will help develop a diverse and highly qualified workforce that significantly impacts oral health.
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