Training in Comparative Medical and Molecular Genetics
Post-doctoral positions are available for advanced research training of graduate veterinarians in genetics and molecular pathogenesis of animal models of human diseases. Areas of research are identification of genes involved in disease including genomics approaches for complex traits, studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, and experimental therapies such as gene transfer and transplantation including stem cells. The training program takes advantage of the extensive graduate course work and research programs at the University. Funding for Ph.D. courses and dissertation work based on the post-doctoral project are provided. Living stipends for FY 2003 range from $34,200 to $50,808 per annum, depending on experience.
Background
A major challenge to the medical sciences is the large group of disorders that are primarily genetic in origin, or that involve a genetic predisposition to disease producing factors in the environment. These include a wide variety of debilitating and fatal illnesses for which few effective methods of treatment or prevention are available. Among the most common diseases in which abnormalities in genes play a role are congenital malformations, metabolic disorders, and cancer. There have been dramatic advances in the science of genetics. The techniques of molecular biology have made it possible to understand the underlying mechanisms of genetic disease at the level of DNA, RNA, and protein molecules. The recent completion of the human and mouse genomes, the imminent completion of the dog genome, and advances in genomics sciences represent the beginning of a new phase of understanding in which the entire genetic program of individual types of cells, and eventually of whole tissues, can be delineated.
Veterinarians have a broad education in the biological medical sciences and are directly involved in the health and productivity of animals. They are thus ideally suited to play major roles in research into the basic mechanisms involved in genetic diseases, gene therapy, and in the identification and engineering of genes that will be important in producing disease resistant livestock. Since the structure and function of genes in animals have a fundamental homology to those in humans, a large number of the genetic diseases that occur in animals are essentially the same as those in humans. New knowledge gained through research in animals will be of direct benefit to human as well as animal health.
Program Description
The training program provides a unique experience in this specialized area of laboratory animal usage in scientific research, which is important to the mission of the NIH. Experience has shown that the knowledge and skills that veterinarians possess in animal physiology, pathology, medicine and surgery enable them, with the proper additional scientific training, to effectively investigate important aspects of the pathogenesis and treatment of genetic diseases by studying animal homologues of human disorders. The increasing number and variety of transgenic, induced mutant, and naturally occurring animal models of genetic disease are vital for identifying new genes that cause disease, for understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of genetic diseases, for elucidating the genes involved in diseases with complex inheritance patterns, and for the successful translation of basic science findings into effective strategies for gene therapy and molecular medicine. The program provides a combination of in-depth basic science training in molecular and medical genetics, and experience in the laboratory animal aspects of specialized disease colonies. This will prepare the fellows to develop independent research programs and make significant contributions in this rapidly expanding area of science.
The environment for biomedical research at the University of Pennsylvania is exceptionally well suited for training in comparative medical and molecular genetics. The biomedical community at Penn is highly interactive and is organized in a way that is conducive to the development of cooperative research according to program areas rather than confining these activities to schools or departments. The biomedical entities include the Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine, the Department of Biology in the School of Arts and Sciences, the Wistar Institute, and the Stokes Institute of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. They are all located together within the health sciences complex on the main campus of the University. An important component of the program is the close working relationship between veterinary and human medicine. Thus, although most of the trainers are from the School of Veterinary Medicine, key faculty from the School of Medicine who work on animal models of disease are also involved.
Training faculty and main interests
Gustavo D. Aguirre, V.M.D., Ph.D. Inherited retinal degeneration disease
Michael L. Atchison, Ph.D. Transcriptional regulation in development
Narayan G. Avadhani, Ph.D. Interactions of mitochondrial and nuclear genes
Jean Bennett, M.D., Ph.D. Gene therapy of retinal diseases
Ralph L. Brinster, V.M.D., Ph.D. Genetic manipulation of germ cells
Michael Cancro, Ph.D. B lymphocyte development
Margret L. Casal, Dr. Med. Vet., Ph.D. Inherited skin disorders
Ina Dobrinski, Dr. Med. Vet., Transgenesis through the male germline
Peter J. Felsburg, V.M.D., Ph.D. Genetics of immune deficiencies
Nigel W. Fraser, Ph.D. Herpesvirus vectors; genetic disease and cancer
Urs Giger, PD Dr. med. vet. Genetic metabolic and hematologic disorders
Mark E. Haskins, V.M.D., Ph.D. Lysosomal storage diseases
Paula S. Henthorn, Ph.D. Molecular genetics of disease causing mutations
Katherine A. High, M.D. Vit K dependent clotting factors; gene therapy for hemophilias
Christopher A. Hunter, Ph.D. Host immune responses to Toxoplasma gondii
Gary Koretzky, M.D., Ph.D., Signal transduction in immune cells
Edward J. Pearce, Ph.D., Biology of Schistosoma mansoni
Philip A. Scott, Ph.D. Regulation of host immune responses to parasites
Hansell H. Stedman, M.D., Gene transfer for muscular dystrophies
H. Lee Sweeney, Ph.D. Molecular basis of motility and force generation
Charles H. Vite , D.V.M., Ph.D. Imaging and pathology of neurogenetic disease
James M. Wilson, M.D., Ph.D. Gene transfer to liver and lung, DNA vectors
John H. Wolfe, V.M.D., Ph.D. Gene transfer to the brain; vectors and stem cells
Other faculty may become mentors by arrangement.
Trainee Qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants with outstanding academic records and previous experience in research. Previous residency training in laboratory animal medicine, medical genetics, or pathology is especially suitable. It is also possible to combine residency training at Penn with post-doctoral/Ph.D. studies. Trainees must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents for this grant, however, other positions may be available in the laboratories of individual trainers. Applications should include a description of short and long-term career objectives, a curriculum vitae, transcripts of professional and graduate school grades, and the results of G.R.E.’s or other standardized tests. Provide the names and addresses of three references, especially from those who can comment on research experiences and potential for developing an independent research career.
Contact
John H. Wolfe, V.M.D., Ph.D.
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania,
3800 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
ccmg@vet.upenn.edu
Other training opportunities in comparative medical and molecular genetics
Section of Medical Genetics- PennGen
Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group- Gene Therapy