Our goal is to create a new cadre of young scientists who can
seamlessly exploit the power of the quantitative training common
in physics and physical chemistry to the analysis of biological
problems. We will create a new certificate in Quantitative Biology
for students in one of the six participating graduate programs:
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, Chemistry,
Molecular and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Physics. Trainees
will be involved in state-of-the-art research projects that
benefit from the highly interactive and collaborative environment
at Brandeis Unviersity. Research projects deal with properties
of single molecules, protein complexes, biochemistry in restructed
spatial locations, networks of signal transduction and transcription,
neuronal networks, biological oscillators and integrators, and
cognitive processes and behavior.Trainees will employ quantitative
methods of data analysis and modeling.
The educational and training program will ensure that:
- biologists can work effectively with rigorous quantitative
methods, new technologies and models,
- physicists and chemists obtain hands-on experience with
biological systems and methods, and
- students with a variety of backgrounds learn multiple "scientific
languages" so that they can communicate and work with
investigators with different skill sets and training than
their own.
Trainees will do laboratory rotations, and take courses that
include modeling and quantitative methods. Several new courses
will be developed specifically for this program. Trainees will
participate in a semester-long Responsible Conduct of Research
Course, invite and host outside seminar speakers, participate
in journal clubs and serve as teaching assistants in their area
of expertise. Trainees will carry out thesis research that involves
quantitative approaches to a biological problem.
