H GEN 6120 - U2M2G Translational Research and Technology Development Bootcamp

This bootcamp will formally help U2M2G MSCI trainees view their basic science discoveries in the context of practical applications in medicine and industry and help them think of themselves not only as investigators, but as translational team members, potential inventors and technology developers. In preparation for this bootcamp, students and their thesis mentors prepare a two-page idea/design summary which receives a "blind read" by a panel of professionals with clinical, technical, technology-development and business expertise and also by a group of Bioengineering and Entrepreneurial graduate students. Trainees present to these bootcamp mentors, followed by a question-and-answer session designed to identify projects "ripe" for translational development by pursuing small molecule screens, stem cell effects, device design, or drug testing. The weekend also includes workshops devoted to identifying problems at the bedside that need to be addressed at the bench, the concept and protection of intellectual property, idea-to-development process, commercialization, and the required components of a development team. This bootcamp will foster relationships among scientists, clinicians, colleagues in the schools of business and law, and investors will permit U2M2G PhD/MSCI trainees to establish relationships and select mentors for their translational electives.