# Training in Multi-scale Analysis of Biological Structure and Function

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2022 · $105,584

## Abstract

Project Summary
This is a renewal of an NIBIB Graduate Training Program in ​Multi-Scale Analysis of Biological Structure
and Function at the University of California San Diego. Pre-doctoral trainees are drawn exclusively from a
formal ​Interdisciplinary Ph.D. specialization in Multi-Scale Biology (the “Interfaces Graduate Training
Program”), which includes students from 10 highly ranked participating home Ph.D. programs (Bioengineering,
Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering, Neurosciences and Physics, with Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering and
Nanoengineering joining since 2015). Students apply at the end of their first year of graduate studies. This T32
program brings together 40 training faculty and supported 24 students in the current period are from Biological
Sciences (2), Health Sciences (9), Engineering (5) and Physical Sciences (8). It’s goal is to train a new cadre
of scientist who can cross disciplinary boundaries to solve important biomedical problem that span scales of
biological organization from molecule to organism. To date 44 Interfaces students have graduated. 13 were
trainees on this T32. URM representation increased to 29%
 A central feature of the training curriculum is seven hands-on graduate laboratory courses that
introduce students to advanced techniques for measuring and analyzing living systems ​at scales of biological
organization spanning from molecule to whole organism​. Students use state-of-the-art facilities and
technologies from mass spectrometry to electron microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging. The scientific
focus on multi-scale analysis of biological structure and function reflects a fundamental challenge of modern
biomedical science in developing and applying novel quantitative approaches from the physical, engineering,
biological and health sciences to integrative problems in biomedicine. Regular program activities, including
bi-weekly graduate seminars, annual symposia and retreats, course open houses and quarterly program
meetings, promote interactions between students and faculty from different disciplines. The dual-mentored
training program is successful in promoting new interdisciplinary collaborations in important areas including
developmental biology, neuroscience and cancer, cardiovascular disease, diagnostics and drug discovery.
This renewal application proposes to continue to train the most diverse student body to be effective leaders in
structurally integrated multi-scale analysis of biological function. It will develop a new lab course in Data
Sciences for Multiscale Biology, create a new Alumni Mentor Network for trainees and a structured
co-mentored interdisciplinary research rotation for prospective students.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10641345
- **Project number:** 3T32EB009380-14S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew D. McCulloch
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $105,584
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2009-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10641345

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10641345, Training in Multi-scale Analysis of Biological Structure and Function (3T32EB009380-14S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10641345. Licensed CC0.

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