Learning content in the curriculum

The  curriculum "Translational Research and Medicine: from the Idea to the Product” is divided by content into four topical areas that guide the continuing education participants through the individual steps of the translational developmental.

I. Product idea and quality assurance

Prior to each product development there is a spark of an idea. And this must be protected so that the product can be subsequently developed and finally implemented by the physician for patient treatment. While protecting the idea there is much to keep in mind: Module 1 teaches which initial steps definitely have to be taken into consideration. And Module 2 indicates which measures for quality assurance during the overall product development have to be adhered to.

  • Module 1: Idea – initial steps
  • Module 2: Quality assurance

II. Product groups

The development of new products differs considerably depending on which product group they come from. Many traditional pharmaceutical products involve comparatively simple structured elements that are referred to as “small molecules” in the sector. The exceedingly innovativee biological pharmaceuticals pharmaceutical products, such as monoclonal antibodies, vaccines or genetic and cell therapeutics are grouped together as “biologicals”. And finally equipment, technical installations and assemblies such as implants, pacemakers or implants derived from tissue are counted among the medical products. These three fundamentally different product groups will be covered in Modules 3 through 7.

  • Module 3: Small molecules
  • Module 4: Biologicals
  • Module 5: Medical products
  • Module 6: Antibodies
  • Module 7: Vaccines

III. Product development

For the clinical development and market license of new products, data regarding quality, pre-clinic and clinic must be presented to the licensing authorities. But what exactly has to be taken into consideration in the planning for such developmental programmes? These questions are covered in the Modules 8 through 10.

  • Module 8: Pre-clinic
  • Module 9: Clinic
  • Module 10: Market

IV. Methodological and personal development

It is not enough to just acquire the knowledge that the various concepts are based on. We also have to acquire additional competencies, in order to be able to bring our knowledge into the complex structures of translational teams. The Modules 11 through 13 are dedicated to this aspect.

  • Module 11: Process overlapping competencies
  • Module 12: Subject overlapping competencies
  • Module 13: Rotation, Coaching & Consultation

Learning formats in the curriculum

The curriculum is formally divided into various continuing education formats. In addition to the technical obligatory and optional courses, a broad variety of transferable skill courses is made available to the participants. The individual steps for the developmental chain are connected through key note lectures given by external, in part prominent, speakers. Furthermore, a rotation and a presentation concerning the respective experiences are included in the training. In the self-study, content is extended and an offering for coaching and consultation is meant to illustrate new professional perspectives to the participants.

Lecture series (Key Note Lectures)

This is an open-event series to which all interested parties are invited. It offers the participants initiatives and ideas for new points of connection – and these are an excellent opportunity to have discussions with experts who work outside one’s own field of expertise. The participants in the training programme have the opportunity to invite further interested parties from their fields.

Transferable skills

Communication is the central content for the transferable skills course, based on Paul Watzlawicks’s axiom: “One cannot not communicate”. Thus, highly competent conveyance during the various occasions for communication is even more essential – interface communication to stakeholders and contracting authorities in a trans-cultural setting. Good questioning techniques and systematic-holistic access models for information needs within the project landscape are essential. This also applies equally to the internal communication culture within the team. Successful presentations of the research results play a significant role here as well; this involves a successful summary in both written and verbal forms and a precise determination from the target audience.

Rotation (practical experience)

This four-day obligatory deployment is to be found in your own organisation. The prerequisite for this is to choose a location that is outside your own sector. The objective of the deployment is to expand the perspective within the field of translational research and medicine and, if necessary, to realise joint projects at a later date. At the end of the training course, an event shall take place involving the exchange of experiences during the rotation. This comprises a presentation about your rotation experiences and the incorporation of translation into your personal working environment – this is discussed together. Your presentation and discussion are the equivalent of a final examination and, thus, your participation is obligatory.

Coaching & advice

Additionally, you can take advantage of professional consultation (mentoring) as well as individual career coaching. The career funding for science within and outside the university is quite significant, and for us the support and promotion of scientists is an important matter. Our offer spans from strengthening of the technical and methodological competencies to individual career coaching.

  • Goal determination, clarification and achievement within the framework of personal career planning
  • Ethical and responsible action, balance of demands, successful and satisfying Life Course
  • Strategy coaching for the development, alignment and formulation of goals and for the development of new solution approaches for existing changes or problems.
  • Review of current position, career aspirations and opportunities for promotion
  • Performance and presentation coaching
  • Prepare application and appointment procedures
  • Initial interview
  • Consultation needs: identification of individual goals
  • Determination of actual and target condition
  • Goals and solutions are worked out
  • Interviews, other arrangements scheduled
  • Evaluation: checking the achievement of objectives
  • Final interview, formal end of coaching

Contact

Angela Bortenreuter
Coordination TRAIN Academy 

Phone:
+49 511 22007 112

Write an E-Mail

Christiane Bock von Wülfingen
Conception and educational management

Phone:
+49 511 532 7902

Write an E-Mail


The TRAIN Academy is supported by: