Training
Molecular Therapeutics Initiative
At the MTI, we are training the next-generation of drug hunters
overview
At the MTI, we are training the next-generation of drug hunters in learning cutting-edge modern approaches to understanding disease biology, discovering new therapeutic targets, and developing new therapeutic technologies and modalities to develop novel and differentiated therapeutics against human diseases. We work together with the Molecular Therapeutics Division within the Molecular and Cell Biology Department and the Chemistry Department at UC Berkeley to provide practical training and internships to trainees so that they are fully trained to accelerate drug discovery whether it be in academia, pharma, biotech, venture capital, business, or beyond.
01.
MTX Division
Exciting research in the new Division of Molecular Therapeutics at UC Berkeley (MTX) provides rigorous training in the biochemical and cellular mechanisms that are affected in disease that can be exploited for the development of new therapeutics. This includes research into mechanisms of gene editing and genome engineering; neural development; gene expression; redox signaling; protein folding and degradation; cell growth and survival signaling; or host viral interactions. Faculty in MTX develop new diagnostic, delivery, and therapeutic approaches to detect and target a range of diseases, including sickle cell disease, retinal diseases, neural disease, or cancer. These problems are being investigated using biochemical, structural, and cellular approaches, including stem cell and organoid models.
02.
Drug Discovery Workshops
The Molecular Therapeutics Initiative is commmitted to training the next generation of drug hunters – a weeklong program combining theory, practical instruction and hands-on experience.
Students from our NIH-funded PREP training grant have the opportunity to conduct a primary screen and follow-up, investigating a new cancer target and obtaining a certificate in lab automation.
03.
Industry Internships
Through our partnerships between the MTI and pharmaceutical companies and biotechs, we offer the possibility for graduate student and postdoctoral trainees to do internships in pharma/biotech settings to learn real-world drug discovery.