M-TRAM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
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MED211 - Applied Medicine course
(Instructor: Ramasamy Paulmurugan)
Introduction to vaccines- discuss the basics of vaccines, including vaccines of infectious diseases vs. cancer vaccines and effective methods of vaccine delivery to achieve long-term memory immune response. Gene therapy- gene therapy for single gene disorders, cancer gene therapy, failures, and successes of gene therapies with current clinical status of cancer gene therapy. Immunotherapy- cancer immunotherapy, pros and cons of cancer immunotherapy, current status, and future targets for improvement. Drug development- drugs for cancer therapy, cellular targets of drugs for cancer therapy, and assays for drug screening and validation. Drug delivery- nanoparticles for drug delivery, exosomes, and cell membrane vesicles for developing biomimetic nano delivery vehicles for drug delivery to overcome immune system.
MED212A -Translational Research Methods - Biomarker Discovery Assays
(Instructors: Joanna Liliental, Holden Maecker, Lisa Nichols, Bruce Koch, David Solow-Cordero)
This course is part of a three-quarter series (A, B, C) and complements courses offered as part of a master's in Translational Research and Applied Medicine (M-TRAM). (A. Cell based biomarker discovery methods; B. Proteomics, C. Genomics). Students will learn the fundamentals of single cell genomics, proteomics, and cell-based assay technologies and will learn how their application and use drive translational research. This course is necessary to build a foundational understanding of modern translational research technologies and the evolution of next-generation technologies. At its core, this course teaches the principles of the technology, conducting data analysis and appreciating how the nature and type of data impact the analysis approach. This course is necessary to provide students with the broader skillset to conduct their capstone project and adapt and grow in the field as technologies change. In this quarter, students will learn the fundamentals of clinical sample processing, cell-based methods and analysis, including flow cytometry, CYTOF, Luminex, high-throughput assays, and nanoimmunoassays. Consists of lectures, labs and technology demos.
MED212B -Translational Research Methods - Translational Proteomics
(Instructors: Sharon Pitteri, Allis Chien, Casey Schmidt, Ryan Leib)
This course is part of a three-quarter series (A, B, C) and complements courses offered in M-TRAM. In this quarter students will learn the fundamentals of proteomics, antibody-drug conjugate analysis, peptide mapping, mass spectrometry operations and data analysis and data processing for mass spec experiments., how their applications and use drive translational research. At its core, this course teaches the principles of proteomics-based methods, conducting data analysis and appreciating how the nature and type of data impact the analysis approach. This course is necessary to provide students with the broader skillset to conduct their MTRAM capstone project and adapt and grow in the field as technologies change. Consists of lectures and labs.
MED212C - Translational Research Methods (Translational Genomics).
(Instructors: Hanlee Ji, John Coller)
This course is part of a three-quarter series (A, B, C) and complements courses offered as part of a master's in Translational Research and Applied Medicine (M-TRAM). (Fall: Cell based methods; Winter: Proteomics,Spring: Genomics). In the Spring quarter, students will learn the fundamentals of single cell genomics: The topics will include understanding the fundamental principles of the technology, experimental methods, types of single cell sequencing assays available and data analysis. The emphasis will be on how these methods are used to delineate immunologic cell types, their interactions with other cells in the local microenvironment and determining differential gene expression patterns and signatures. Lectures will demonstrate how single cell immunogenomics are being applied to immunotherapy development. At its core, this course teaches the principles of genomics-based methods, conducting computational analysis and appreciating how the nature and type of data impact the analysis approach. This course is necessary to provide students with the broader skillset to conduct their MTRAM capstone project and adapt and grow in the field as technologies change. Consists of lectures and labs.
MED399M - MTRAM clinical rotation.
(Instructors: various)
Students are paired with a clinical research mentor (CTRU staff, School of Medicine faculty, Stanford University service center/core facility director or physician mentor at Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, or the Veteran's Administration Hospital). Students have ample opportunity to shadow, learn and practice a variety of skills used in clinical research and clinical practice. Performance in this course comprises part of the mandatory evaluation for pre-candidacy standing and suitability to continue in the MTRAM program. Students will work closely with pre-assigned faculty, research staff and residents during the quarter long rotation.
MED299M - MTRAM capstone project (TRIP: Translational Research Independent Project)
(Instructors: various)
TRIP is the translational research capstone project that will require approximately 5 hours per week 2nd through 4th quarter for a total of about 150 hours and enable each student to test a hypothesis, develop an experimental plan, interpret results, understand the future research plan. Capstones will focus on early clinical translation (T0-T1) involving areas of strength of our M-TRAM faculty, including drug therapy and delivery, vaccines, immune measurements and therapy and gene measurements and therapy. Project ideas can be student initiated, suggested by the faculty advisors, or arise from experiential learning (Industry and Clinical), but must be approved, supported, and monitored by the M-TRAM leadership committee. Upon completion of the project, students will present their final results as an oral presentation and a written report. They will formally present their final results at the student research showcase in the 4th quarter (summer). In addition to the talk students will also be required to prepare a final written report summarizing their project’s aims, hypothesis, methods, results, and conclusions.
MED 221: Translational Research and Applied Medicine Seminars
(Instructors: Dean Felsher. Joanna Liliental)
Open to graduate students and medical students, this course enables students to learn basic principles in the design, performance and analysis of translational medical research studies. The course includes both didactic seminars from experts in translational medicine as well as the opportunity to design and present a translational research project. Students enrolling for 3 units are paired with a TRAM translational research project and work as a team with TRAM trainees and faculty on a weekly basis, as arranged by the instructor, and present a final project update at the end of the quarter.
CSB 242: Drug Discovery and Development Seminar
(optional but highly recommended)
(Instructors: Kevin Grimes and Daria Mochly-Rosen)
The scientific principles and technologies involved in making the transition from a basic biological observation to the creation of a new drug emphasizing molecular and genetic issues.
MED 284: Human Studies in Drug Development: clinical trials from initial concept to regulatory approval
(Instructor: George Tidmarsh)
A comprehensive exploration of the clinical development pathway, spanning from initial discovery to FDA approval. In this course, you will gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills, including understanding regulatory processes, developing study protocols for various clinical phases, ensuring safety management, managing data effectively, and preparing for NDA/MAA submissions. Expert-led sessions and workshops provide students with the expertise required to navigate the complexities of clinical trials and clinical studies in drug development.This course teaches the basic elements of clinical trial design, implementation and analysis including all phases of clinical trials. Overall early phase clinical trial concepts including dose finding, initial safety assessment as well as activity, biomarker and initial activity assessments with be taught. Later stage concepts such as dose refinement, safety and efficacy will also be covered. The course will teach all aspects of clinical trials including initial concept, study design, synopsis writing, overall protocol development, review and approval by regulatory authorities and Institutional Review Boards (IRB), site selection and qualification, drug accounting, data and safety monitoring, data collection and analysis, unblinding procedures, study and site close out and clinical study report writing. Students will gain experience by analyzing existing protocols, studies and data. Basic statistical knowledge expected.
MED 251A: The A to Z of Medical Translation: Fundamentals and Technical Considerations of Drug Development
(Instructor: George Tidmarsh)
Dive into the fundamentals of medical translation, with a focus on drug development. Explore topics like drug development planning, preclinical requirements, drug development from a biopharmaceutical perspective, good manufacturing practices (GMP), quality assurance standards, and compliance. Industry experts offer valuable insights, providing students with a strong foundation for the field.
MED 251B: The A to Z of Medical Translation: Strategic Challenges in Drug Development
(Instructor: George Tidmarsh)
Delve into the broader ecosystem of medical translation, examining critical aspects including leadership and management skills, developing and maintaining intellectual property, working with venture funds, portfolio evaluation, diagnostic development, market access and healthcare equity. Guest speakers offer insights into real-world challenges and opportunities in the industry.
MED 251C: The A to Z of Medical Translation:
Emerging Trends in Drug Development and Next-Gen Innovations
(Instructor: George Tidmarsh)
Explore topics such as novel therapeutic modalities; artificial intelligence and personalized medicine; new methodologies for drug discovery; the future of pharmaceutical development, marketing, and healthcare cost containment. This quarter offers a forward-looking perspective, preparing students for the ever-evolving landscape of medical translation and biopharmaceutical development.
MED 283: Biotechnology Law
(Instructor: Vern Norviel)
Focus on the impact of the legal and regulatory system on research, products, and intellectual property for companies and academia and will include an overview of legal, corporate, intellectual property, ethical and regulatory issues impacting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Basic topics covered include intellectual property, patent law, and licensing in the field of biotechnology. You will learn how to submit an idea, go through the disclosure and licensing process, and apply for a patent.
