All were beneficiaries in the €3.8m EU funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) “TRAIN” (“Tribbles Research and Innovation Network”), that has been coordinated from the Department of Infection, Immunity, and Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Sheffield. The TRAIN network has given 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) the opportunity to take part in a highly collaborative scientific programme that has not only supported them to complete their PhD studies, but has helped them to develop into excellent scientists armed with the skills and experience to launch their future careers.
TRAIN ESRs and PIs at the Training Workshop in Madrid Oct 2017
The objective of this multidisciplinary research-training programme was to uncover cell-specific mechanisms of tribbles proteins (TRIB) - mediated control of immuno-metabolism and their impact on prostate cancer (PCa) progression. TRIB proteins are a recently described family of pseudokinases that have key roles in regulating our immune system and energy metabolism and also play an important role in the development of cancer.
The integrated programme delivered significant advances into understanding how:
- Tribbles 1 promotes the development of early prostate cancer
- miRNAs target Tribbles 1 and regulate inflammatory action of both macrophages and cancer cells via common mechanisms
- Tribbles 3 regulates adipose health thus contributing to the development of obesity and atherosclerosis
There was also a significant world-wide impact on the progress of science through organising two tribbles-focussed symposia during the lifetime of TRAIN, in Beijing (2018) and Munich (2020).
TRAIN Scientific Coordinator, Endre Kiss Toth said: “It has been a privilege to be able to work with colleagues across Europe on an integrated network of exciting projects and to use these to develop a very strong cohort of young scientists, including several PhD students who were funded through other routes within TRAIN laboratories but were able to participate in our training provisions and further enriched our international community with a shared passion for cutting-edge science.”
The unique structure and funding model of the Training Networks meant that the core scientific work in the has been complemented by a series of five consortium-led training workshops, that have covered a wide range of scientific and complementary skills and allowed the 15 ESRs to develop solid working relationships. These working relationships have been enhanced by several exchanges and secondments between the participating laboratories. In addition, the TRAIN consortium had a strong presence at two International Conferences focused on tribbles proteins, giving the ESRs a great opportunity to present their work to a wider audience and cultivate their professional networks.
TRAIN ESR Swapna Satam, based at beneficiary Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen says “This PhD is more than just a degree; throughout these three years, I have gained so much experience as well as facing up to challenges such as working under time pressure, dealing with difficult situations and finding the right work-life balance. I feel confident now to face any challenges after the PhD and use my current expertise in the field. I am fortunate that I am part of TRAIN consortium and to be able to work with all the great researchers in the area. Overall we have built a great network, and this will indeed help us in our future careers.
As the programme comes to a close this month, Programme Coordinator, Graham Hughes said “It has a been a pleasure to see the ESRs develop their scientific skills and advance the science in this field so much over the last 48 months. It has been a great experience for all of them and true to the concept of the ITN programme the consortium has spawned many new collaborative projects for the future. It has also been a privilege to be part of such a friendly and dedicated group of PIs and ESRs”.