Background

The clinical application of advances in biological science has become the key challenge for medicine at the beginning of the 21st century. Opportunities for novel diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic strategies are enormous and there is a realistic prospect for targeted therapies that combine greater effectiveness with fewer adverse effects. These hopes have led to a new clinical discipline - Translational Medicine. The challenge now is to forge novel intersectorial partnerships between basic science and clinical medicine and between academia and industry. Few scientists or clinicians have the breadth of expertise to facilitate these. Furthermore, traditional PhD training programmes typically focus on acquiring knowledge whilst neglecting its exploitation. Consequently, there is an urgent need for specific training programmes for Early Stage Researchers that provide training for a "Translational Scientist" without compromising on the quality of traditional academic PhD training.

TranSVIR will establish an Initial Training Network (ITN) in vascular inflammation and remodelling - an area of Translational Science where Europe can provide leadership on an internationally competitive level. The need for a training programme on vascular inflammation and remodelling is dictated by their pervasive roles in maintaining tissue integrity. The molecular processes involved are central to the pathogenesis of most severe inflammatory and malignant neoplastic diseases currently requiring more effective treatments. Rapid advances in basic science have identified numerous molecules as potential therapeutic targets for these conditions and developments in biotechnology and medicinal chemistry have produced potential therapies that await detailed evaluation.