# Cancer Cell Biology Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $332,856

## Abstract

Abstract
This application seeks the continuation of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)'s longstanding
and highly successful Cancer Cell Biology Training Program (CCBTP), the flagship and sole predoctoral-only
cancer-focused T32 of UNC's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. CCBTP is now in its 25th year. As we
always have more highly qualified applicants than we can accommodate, we request renewed support for all six
predoctoral training slots. The premise of CCTBP is that the biology of cancer cells is an interdisciplinary
biomedical science encompassing experimental approaches and didactic knowledge from diverse fields. The
CCBTP mission is to train the next generation of basic and translational cancer biologists, preparing them to
contribute in both academic and non-academic careers. As a non degree-granting program, CCBTP provides
trainees with unique opportunities beyond their departmental requirements and offerings. In this renewal
application, CCBTP seeks to build on past success, while also recognizing that the landscape of cancer research
and training has entered a new era of very dynamic change. Precision medicine and the genomic era of big data
in cancer research continue to evolve at warp speed. Dramatic improvements in technology have enabled
increased understanding of the contributions of single cells to specific populations, and to the interactions of
cancer cells with their tumor microenvironment of stromal and immune cells. To keep the CCBTP program fresh
and to best address the needs of future cancer biology trainees, we have critically evaluated the program and
remodeled some aspects to keep abreast of this changing landscape. Our refreshed program thus includes a
revised core course on cancer pathobiology and signaling, a new core course developed specifically for CCBTP
on cancer immunology and the tumor microenvironment, and our unique experiential course on targeted cancer
therapeutics. In the past cycle, CCBTP added novel interactions with faculty mentors, improved the diversity
pipeline, and obtained enhanced institutional support. We continue to build on all of these improvements. Going
forward, in addition to continued emphasis on both basic and translational cancer biology, trainees have new
opportunities to develop and utilize their knowledge of state-of-the-art methodologies to profile and dissect the
cancer genome, kinome and proteome; to become familiar with bioinformatics and computational biology; to
engage with the rapidly emerging areas of immunotherapy and the tumor microenvironment; to understand and
apply the most appropriate and useful model systems to study cancer biology; to enhance the rigor and
reproducibility of their research; and to engage thoughtfully with the larger world outside their own labs and
institution. CCBTP trainees describe their community as one of the most important and valuable aspects of their
predoctoral training. The CCBTP serves a vital role in our mission of t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10874783
- **Project number:** 5T32CA071341-27
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** ADRIENNE D COX
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $332,856
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-09-30 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10874783

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10874783, Cancer Cell Biology Training Program (5T32CA071341-27). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10874783. Licensed CC0.

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