This renewal proposal seeks continuation of the Training in Developmental Cardiovascular Biology Program, initiated 21 years ago. Of the 11 fellows supported by this Program over the previous 10 years, and who have completed the program, 5 have academic appointments at outstanding institutions and 10 are actively engaged in federally- or privately-funded research programs. This Program will continue to utilize the outstanding physiology and molecular and cellular biology laboratories at the Cardiovascular Research Institute and several UCSF departments to train basic, clinical, and translational scientists who will be at the forefront of developmental cardiovascular research in the coming decades. Modern physiologic and molecular approaches have produced remarkable advances in our knowledge of cardiovascular biology and disease, and the fields of human genetics and stem cell biology are providing still more opportunities. These developments promise rapid scientific progress and underscore the ongoing need for well-trained investigators to both continue this work and build bridges between basic discovery and the advancement of human health. To this end we will: 1. Exploit the unique training opportunities in the CVRI, the Department of Pediatrics, and UCSF in general, in areas of basic biology, clinical epidemiology, and translational research. 2. Recruit graduates of top Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. programs to careers in cardiovascular research. 3. Combine clinical pediatric cardiology training with a rigorous grounding in basic or clinical/translational research to facilitate the training of physician-scientists. This grant will support 6 postdoctoral fellows, each for 2 years, and features three Tracks. Track I trainees will be M.D.s seeking both clinical pediatric cardiology and basic science research training. Trainees in this Track will receive support from this training grant only for the research component of their training. Track II trainees will be Ph.D.s or M.D.-Ph.D.s who will compete openly for postdoctoral positions in basic cardiovascular biology. Track III trainees will be M.D.s seeking advanced training in clinical or translational research relevant to cardiovascular health and disease. A strong didactic curriculum will be provided in a rich scientific environment with rigorous graduate courses and regular trainee meetings. Each trainee will execute a research project with one of the 25 outstanding program faculty preceptors.
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