Integrated Research Training Program

The Integrated Research and Training Group "Treg cells and beyond" (IRTG 355) offers the graduate students of the TRR 355 (PhD and MD/PhD) a structured educational qualification program that combines top-level immunology research, bioinformatics, and professional career development.

We aim to grow a cohort of early-career researchers with strong interdisciplinary competence within the research area of Treg cells and the emerging fields of multi-omics and single-cell analyses. To this end, we have established a training program that rests upon eight pillars: introductory courses, research-oriented training, training in computational immunology, translational research, pharmaceutical product development, scientific communication, E-learning, and career development.

This training program also aims to support the execution and progress of the cutting-research projects of the individual doctoral candidates.

By providing tailored qualification measures for early-career researchers, the IRTG aims to increase the visibility and attractiveness of TRR 355 to recruit an international early-career faculty. Additionally, the IRTG fosters the scientific exchange between partner laboratories in Mainz, Munich, and the other participating institutions and consequently functions as a networking platform for the next generation of immunologists.

This includes:

• A weekly Science Club in an online format, where PhD/MD candidates, postdocs and PIs from different locations discuss relevant literature,
  the results of their research, as well as methodological challenges and methods.
• A bi-weekly IRTG lecture series in an interactive online format, to foster a critical dialogue between doctoral candidates and the lecturer
• Individualized IRTG training activities (participation in summer schools, workshops, external lab visits)
• An annual Treg Academy organized by the doctoral candidates, as a form of a two-day IRTG retreat

Overall, synergies for doctoral candidates are fostered by multi-disciplinary research training both within the local microenvironment, as part of the TRR 355, and based on international co-operations.

Finally, yet importantly, the participants of the IRTG "Treg cells and beyond" benefit from a wealth of experience provided by the TRR 355 principal investigators and from their participation in national and international educational training activities for early career researchers.