Many of the Genetics trainers are part of a new initiative on campus that bridges interdisciplinary researchers working in the area of quantitative biology. Technological innovations have revolutionized the scale and detail with which biological systems can be explored. With that revolution comes a new demand for scientists who transcend biological and computational sciences to seamlessly integrate complex datasets into quantitative, predictive models of biological systems.
The Quantitative Biology Initiative (QBI http://qbi.wisc.edu) is a university-wide initiative that brings together students and faculty from diverse departments and training programs, to train the next generation of quantitative biologists. The QBI utilizes the exceptional level of inter-departmental collaboration at UW-Madison to provide students outstanding training opportunities in interdisciplinary, collaborative research. Research within the QBI spans four thematic areas, including computational, “wet” experimental, statistical, and theoretical biology. Researchers working in these areas often collaborate closely on data generation and analysis, and the research of many labs falls into multiple thematic areas. Although not a degree granting program, the QBI organizes interdisciplinary seminars and courses that are particularly relevant to the QBI community.
Predoctoral students entering the Genetics Training Program have access to many of the QBI labs whose PIs are trainers in the Genetics program. Genetics trainers affiliated with the QBI work on a range of topics, including population genetics, genomic and proteomic analysis, systems biology of cellular physiology, mathematical modeling of genetic networks, and theoretical population genetics. This initiative provides an outstanding community for Genetics students working in these areas and a wealth of opportunities for collaboration.
To find out more about the QBI, visit the QBI website at http://qbi.wisc.edu.