Collaborative Research Training in Thrombosis and Inflammation

NIH RePORTER · NIH · T32 · $383,389 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

This is the first competitive renewal of a T32 program to prepare postdoctoral trainees for collaborative research careers in two inter-related topics: thrombosis and inflammation. There is increasing evidence of a direct relationship between thrombosis and inflammation, or thromboinflammation, in numerous human diseases. Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of thrombotic disorders such as stroke and coronary artery disease, while thrombosis influences disease severity in inflammatory conditions such as the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), sepsis, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Despite the close links between thrombosis and inflammation, to our knowledge, this is the only T32 program in the nation focused specifically on both processes. The Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID) at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and the Division of Thrombosis Research at Baylor College of Medicine sponsor this collaborative training program with rigorous research opportunities and close mentoring by faculty. The group of 19 faculty mentors includes 9 NIH-funded investigators and 7 VA Merit-funded investigators; 11 of the mentors are physician-scientists and the balance are non-physician scientists. The major strengths of our program include: 1) a cohesive and highly collaborative group of successful mentors with research expertise in relevant topics for our program, including platelets, neutrophils, microvascular thrombosis, stroke, cancer, sepsis, autoimmunity, inflammatory conditions in lung, bone, and infection, among others; 2) a unique combined curriculum with shared didactic and clinically- oriented training for physician and non-physician trainees; and 3) it is based in a thriving research center committed to mentoring, including a weekly seminar series that consists of > 60% speakers with scientific interests aligned with the themes of this T32. In addition to training physician- scientists in biomedical research, PhD scientists will be trained in translational medicine offering a direct interaction with patients with clinical conditions related to the focus of this T32. PhD trainees are paired with physician trainees during these clinical practicums; this collaborative aspect of the program teaches PhD postdoctoral fellows the importance and benefit of conducting research in collaboration with physician-scientists and vice-versa. The program consists of 2-3 years of research training, enriched by didactic courses, an outstanding seminar series and a vibrant scientific environment. Successful renewal of this T32 on thrombosis and inflammation will continue to pave the way for new biological insights and novel ways of prevention and treatment of thrombotic- inflammatory disorders by educating future physician- and non-physician scientists for collaborative research careers in thrombosis and inflammation.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10933174
Project number
2T32HL139425-06A1
Recipient
BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Principal Investigator
Miguel Angel Cruz
Activity code
T32
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$383,389
Award type
2
Project period
2018-08-01 → 2029-04-30