PhD Training Program in Virology and Gene Therapy

Project Summary Unifying scientific principles in the life sciences continue to be discovered in viral systems. Gene therapy and oncolytic virotherapy depend on viral vectors. Awareness that a deep understanding of fundamental virology is necessary for the development of gene therapy led to the foundation of the Virology and Gene Therapy (VGT) track of Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (MCGSBS) in 2004; since 2018 the NIH supports three of its best pre-doctoral students. Ph.D. training leverages the strength of basic research and the robust translational infrastructure at Mayo Clinic. Training is performed in the laboratories of 22 VGT faculty members. Eight are from the Department of Molecular Medicine, three from Medical Oncology, two each from Infectious Diseases, Hematology, and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology. The others are from five different departments. The faculty is united by leadership in research on viruses, vectors, mechanisms of human disease, cancer treatment, and gene therapy. VGT popularity is based in part on its unique training opportunities in both virology and the translation of viral and gene therapeutics. During the entire time of their thesis the students engage in a full array of programmatic activities including journal clubs, seminar series, an annual retreat and national scientific meetings. Requirements for the VGT track conform to the general requirements of MCGSBS. Continued NIH support of three trainees would allow further development of this successful and innovative program.