Training Module
The CanCURE training module is led by Dr. Keith Fowke. Dr. Fowke is Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, at the University of Manitoba. He leads the CIHR International Infectious Disease and Global Health Training program (www.iidandghtp.com). His laboratory focuses on defining cellular immune mechanisms of the control of, and resistance to, HIV infection.
The 7 university partners provide nationally and internationally recognized training in the medical sciences and the CanCURE training module adds unique multidisciplinary training opportunities in HIV cure research. Our trainees are exposed to cross-disciplinary expertise, including clinical and translational aspects of HIV research, genomics,/proteomics, bioinformatics, molecular and cellular biology, virology, and immunology; gain experience in working with BSL-3 pathogens, viral vectors and oncolytic viruses in BSL-2 and -3 laboratories; and use state-of-the-art technologies, such as systems biology, hu BLT mice models, sh/siRNA technology, microarrays, CRISPR Editing technology, CHIPseq, single copy and single-infected cell-PCR assays. In addition, they become familiar and develop expertise with the scientific, legal and ethical aspects related to working with research animals, human cohorts of HIV-infected subjects and biobanking of tissue samples. Trainees are fully integrated into regular Team meetings to discuss ideas, challenges, novel strategies and new developments.
The established CanCURE researchers have an outstanding training record, having mentored > 200 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows (PDFs) and medical residents, with >50% of the trainees having received competitive funding support. Several former trainees hold key academic, government and industry positions in Canada and abroad.