Natural selection is the most powerful concept in the biology of species and ecosystems. In recent years, the principles and mechanisms of evolution have become vital to the molecular sciences as well. Many problems in human health are now recognized as being rooted in processes of molecular mutation and selection. Furthermore, a growing number of techniques inspired by biological evolution are becoming available to produce new molecular function by evolutionary means in the laboratory. Evolution at the molecular scale in both biology and chemistry is the subject of this unique training program, which is of great importance to the future of biotechnology. We focus neither on the origin of life nor on evolution at the organism level, the two traditional areas of interest in evolutionary biology. Rather, we emphasize the application of the principles and mechanisms of mutation, selection, and feedback to three areas: (1) the immune system as Nature's chief engine for rapid molecular evolution;(2) molecular evolution in host-pathogen interactions;and (3) the development and application of new tools for molecular evolution in the laboratory. The training program begins with a graduate-level course (""""""""Chemical and Biological Principles of Evolution""""""""), and includes the following additional features: (a) literature reviews and seminar series run by the students, (b) a yearly introduction to research by the faculty, (c) an annual program retreat, (d) intensive cross-disciplinary interactions including monthly scientific meetings of investigators in the above three general areas, and access of all trainees to all participating laboratories, (e) construction and updating by both students and faculty of a reference text, technical manual, and web-based open access resource, (f) training in safety and scientific ethics, (g) industrial internships for all students, and (h) periodic review by a panel of distinguished outside experts. Within this framework, trainees have extensive exposure to visiting investigators and to faculty and coworkers in many participating laboratories, giving them both a broad and deep perspective on this exciting field.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32GM080209-02
Application #
7880207
Study Section
National Institute of General Medical Sciences Initial Review Group (BRT)
Program Officer
Jones, Warren
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2012-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$92,203
Indirect Cost
Name
Scripps Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
781613492
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
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Gaj, Thomas; Sirk, Shannon J; Barbas 3rd, Carlos F (2014) Expanding the scope of site-specific recombinases for genetic and metabolic engineering. Biotechnol Bioeng 111:1-15
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Gersbach, Charles A; Gaj, Thomas; Barbas 3rd, Carlos F (2014) Synthetic zinc finger proteins: the advent of targeted gene regulation and genome modification technologies. Acc Chem Res 47:2309-18
Gaj, Thomas; Gersbach, Charles A; Barbas 3rd, Carlos F (2013) ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas-based methods for genome engineering. Trends Biotechnol 31:397-405
Hong, Minsun; Lee, Peter S; Hoffman, Ryan M B et al. (2013) Antibody recognition of the pandemic H1N1 Influenza virus hemagglutinin receptor binding site. J Virol 87:12471-80
Gaj, Thomas; Mercer, Andrew C; Sirk, Shannon J et al. (2013) A comprehensive approach to zinc-finger recombinase customization enables genomic targeting in human cells. Nucleic Acids Res 41:3937-46

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