Bridging the gap between bench and bedside

Our comprehension of human biology and pathophysiology continues to expand at an astounding pace. However, our ability to apply this knowledge to improve human health is limited by a lack of investigators with the skills and perspective to bridge the growing gap from bench to bedside.

The UNC Program in Translational Medicine (UNC Med Into Grad Program) seeks to provide PhD students with the skills for successful careers in translational research.

Participating students will acquire the necessary medical perspective to identify and answer important questions about human disease and successfully work and communicate in the clinical setting. This includes acquiring a working knowledge of human pathophysiology at the genetic, cellular, organ system, and epidemiologic levels, the clinical presentation of diseases, the language of patient care, and the mechanics and ethical issues related to human investigation. The Program is designed to supplement and enhance the existing degree-granting basic science PhD programs at the School of Medicine.

Students who successfully complete all of the requirements will be granted a Certificate in Translational Medicine from the University at the time they complete their PhD.

The major components of the Program are didactic, mentoring and clinical exposure. These include:

1)	a new year-long interdepartmental lecture and lab course in Pathophysiological Basis of Disease (PATH 713) taken in either year-1 or 2;

2)	a year-long career enrichment class during year-1 coordinated with the IBMS;

3)	a monthly multi-speaker symposium that broadly explores specific diseases from bench to bedside and complements the course; sample: November 2006 Symposium (pdf)

4)	clinical mentoring and exposure supervised by the Clinical Co-mentor, during year 2 and beyond.

We expect our students to graduate with a thorough training both as basic science investigators and with a broad knowledge of human disease and the clinical perspective and skills to effectively work with clinicians to translate new knowledge into improved patient care. We will assist students in finding postdoctoral and faculty positions in translational research.