Training and Sustainability

Through this program, the RDSC’s training program in DNA repair will be, involving expanded course offerings that explore the literature on DNA repair in cancer. Our training committee will engage training coordinators in each institution to develop graduate-level programming that fits within the fabric of each institute’s training programs and can be delivered in a cross-campus fashion. Embedding leading-edge technologies within the program exposes trainees to what is possible, encouraging daily interactions, active problem solving and creativity.

Technical training and impact:

Our platforms will provide hands-on training and fee-for-service engagement. Skilled technical staff will focus on teaching and maintenance and allow trained users to design and perform their own experiments. To facilitate the TRaC program will host an annual week-long summer school. Workshops on each individual technology will be provided, with a focus on integrative structural biology. This is an exciting opportunity as such a program is not available in Canada. We have designed a concept where parallel streams and joint sessions allow for a tailored experience. That is, students interested in one technology can receive in-depth training while students seeking a broader perspective can sample all sub-disciplines. For example, students can learn how to:

  1. Prepare samples for structural mass spec and analyze data in major packages.
  2. Prepare samples for tomographic analysis and perform subtomographic averaging.
  3. Process single particle analysis data in major software platforms.
  4. Generate AI-driven structural models and use multiple datasets for integrative modeling.
  5. Conduct MD simulations of action.

We will seek accreditation for these resources within our institutions as modules within existing graduate course programs and engage the larger community in their development.