Biophysical and Biochemical Sciences Fellowship Special Emphasis
Panel [F04B]
Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics Small Business
[SBIR/STTR] Activities
Special Emphasis Panels [BCMB
Small Business SEPs]
[Back to Top]
Synthetic
and Biological Chemistry A and B Study Sections [SBC-A and SBC-B]
[SBC-A
Roster] [SBC-B Roster]
These study sections review research
activities central to biology and medicine in which chemical synthesis,
molecular structure, and reaction mechanism have central roles. The SBC-A and SBC-B study sections review applications
in synthetic and biological chemistry ranging from fundamental to applied
research. The SBC-A and SBC-B study
sections both integrate synthetic methods and target directed synthesis with
chemical biology and medicinal chemistry.
Specific areas
covered by SBC-A and SBC-B:
·
Bioinorganic and bioorganic /chemical
biology
Discovery, invention, and application
of synthetic chemistry and reagents to problems in biology.
·
Drug
design/medicinal chemistry
The design and synthesis of novel molecules that modulate biochemical
processes of potential clinical relevance, including the study of
physiochemical, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion),
pharmacokinetic, and pharmacological properties.
·
Enzymology
Studies of enzymes that focus predominantly on the design and synthesis of
drugs or compounds with pharmaceutical potential.
·
Synthetic
methods
Discovery and development of strategies, reactions, reagents, and catalysts
for use in synthesis.
·
Target-directed
synthesis
Total synthesis of natural products and other biologically interesting
targets of defined structure.
Additional areas for SBC-A may include include:
·
Bioconjugate
chemistry: The attachment of active
molecules to biopolymers, including proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides,
and lipids.
·
Biomaterials: The synthesis and study of polymers, molecular
assemblies, and nanostructured materials of potential use in biological
systems and medicine.
·
Biomimetic
chemistry: Development of molecules
with structures and functions based on extrapolation from biological
examples.
·
Imaging
agents: Synthesis of molecules to
improve the detection of cellular processes and structures and diagnosis of
disease states.
·
Inorganic
and organic reactions and mechanisms:
Fundamental studies of chemical reactivity of biological relevance.
·
Metals in
chemistry: Investigation of the roles, both natural and designed, of metal
ions in chemical structure and function.
·
Molecular
recognition: Elucidation of inter-
and intramolecular noncovalently controlled phenomena of chemical and
biological relevance.
·
Molecular
design: The use of biological
molecules or their analogs as fundamental building blocks for the synthesis
of compounds with novel functions.
Additional areas for SBC-B may
include include:
·
Biosynthetic
pathways: Elucidation and
manipulation of the pathways by which primary and secondary metabolites are
produced, including chemical strategies for combating infective agents and
disease vectors.
·
Diversity
oriented synthesis: Development and
application of synthetic strategies for the preparation of structurally
diverse compounds and compound libraries of potential utility.
·
Natural
Products Discovery: Isolation and
characterization of compounds of potential importance to human medicine from
terrestrial and aquatic microbiological, plant, and animal sources.
The SBC
Study Sections have the following shared interests within the BCMB IRG:
·
With Synthetic and Biological Chemistry A and B
[SBC-A & SBC-B]: SBC-A
and SBC-B share interest in synthetic chemistry such that applications
concerned with development of synthetic methods and total synthesis may be
assigned equally to either study section. Although both study sections share
interests in bioinorganic and medicinal chemistry, SBC-A could be assigned
applications with emphasis on bioconjugates, biomaterials, biomimetics,
metals, and imaging. SBC-B could be assigned applications with emphasis on
bioorganic chemistry, biosynthetic pathways, and chemical diversity.
·
With Macromolecular Structure and Function A [MSF-A]: The SBC-A
and SBC-B study sections have shared interests in structure- and
mechanism-based drug design with the MSF-A study section. Applications that emphasize synthetic or
medicinal chemistry may be assigned to SBC-A or SBC-B. Applications that emphasize biochemical,
structural, mechanistic or computational approaches may be assigned to MSF-A.
·
With Macromolecular Structure and Function B [MSF-B]: The SBC-A
study section has shared interests in peptide, protein, and nucleic acid
design with MSF-B. Applications that emphasize chemical synthesis or drug
design may be assigned for review by SBC-A. Applications that emphasize
macromolecular structure or function may be assigned for review by MSF-B.
·
With Macromolecular Structure and Function C [MSF-C]: The SBC-A
study section has shared interests in imaging agents and approaches with MSF-C.
Applications that emphasize chemical synthesis or design of imaging agents
may be assigned for review by SBC-A. Applications that emphasize application
of imaging agents to macromolecular structure or function may be assigned for
review by MSF-C (or -A or- B as appropriate).
·
With Macromolecular Structure and Function A, B, and
C [MSF-A, -B, & -C]: The SBC-A and SBC-B study sections have
shared interests with MSF-A, MSF-B, and MSF-C in development and analysis of
inhibitors of macromolecular interactions (protein-protein, protein-nucleic
acid, etc.). Applications that
emphasize inhibitor synthesis or design could be assigned to SBC-A or -B.
Applications that emphasize macromolecule and inhibitor interactions or
functions could be assigned to MSF-A, -B, or -C.
·
With Biochemistry and Biophysics of Membranes [BBM]: The SBC-A
study section has a shared interest in development of reagents for
manipulation and crystallization of membrane proteins with the BBM study
section. Applications that are more
synthetically oriented may be appropriate for SBC-A. Applications that are
more structurally oriented may be appropriate for BBM. The SBC-A and SBC-B
study sections have shared interests in enzymology with BBM. Applications
with emphasis on enzymes that are potential targets for drug design and
approach these targets using medicinal/synthetic chemistry methodologies may
be assigned to SBC-A or SBC-B. Studies
with emphasis on membrane enzymes as potential targets for drugs and approach
these targets using biochemical, structural or computational methodologies
may be assigned to BBM.
·
With Enabling Bioanalytical and Biophysical Technologies
[EBT]: Combinatorial chemistry and novel materials
are shared interests. If the emphasis is synthetic chemistry, then assignment
could be to SBC-A or -B. If the emphasis is analytical chemistry, then
assignment could be to EBT.
The SBC Study Sections have the following shared interests outside the
BCMB IRG:
·
With the Genes, Genomes, and Genetics [GGG] IRG: SBC-A and SBC-B
share interests with the GGG IRG in the area of small molecule regulation of
gene expression. If emphasis is on the
chemistry or design of small molecule regulators, then assignment could be to
SBC-A or SBC-B. If emphasis is on genetic aspects of expression, then
assignment could be to GGG.
·
With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies
[BST] IRG: SBC-A
and SBC-B share interests with the BST IRG in the areas of biomaterials,
imaging agents, gene delivery strategies, and molecular design. Applications focusing on chemical aspects
of these topics could be assigned to SBC-A or SBC-B. Applications focusing on bioengineering
aspects could be assigned to BST.
·
With the Immunology [IMM]; Infectious Diseases and
Microbiology [IDM]; AIDS and Related Research [AARR]; Oncological Sciences
[ONC]; Hematology [HEME]; Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]; Endocrinology,
Metabolism, Nutrition, and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR]; Musculoskeletal,
Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS]; Digestive Sciences [DIG]; Respiratory Sciences
[RES]; Renal and Urological Sciences [RUS]; and the Brain Disorders and
Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] IRGs: The SBC-A and SBC-B study
sections have shared interests in drug design and medicinal chemistry with
the organ and disease-oriented IRGs. Applications that emphasize early drug
discovery (hit to lead and lead optimization) could generally be assigned
to SBC-A and SBC-B. Studies that emphasize candidate
selection, preclinical and clinical evaluation could be assigned to the
organ and disease-oriented IRGs.
·
With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: SBC-A and SBC-B share
interests with the SBIB IRG in the areas of biomaterials and imaging
agents.
Applications emphasizing chemical aspects of these topics could be
assigned to SBC-A or SBC-B. Applications emphasizing medical
bioengineering aspects could be assigned to SBIB.
[Back to Top]
Macromolecular Structure and
Function A, B & C Study Sections
[MSF-A, MSF-B & MSF-C]
[MSF-A
Roster] [MSF-B
Roster
] [MSF-C
Roster
]
The Macromolecular Structure and Function [MSF] Study
Sections review applications that focus on the biochemistry and biophysics
of sequence-structure-function relationships in proteins, nucleic acids,
carbohydrates, their complexes, and interactions with small molecules.
Experimental approaches include physical and chemical methods to study
interactions between molecules. A broad range of theoretical and
computational approaches as well as kinetic, mechanistic, and
thermodynamic characterizations of biomolecules and their functions are
included. The emphasis is on the application of these and other
biochemical and biophysical methods to problems of biological relevance.
A
large number of applications fall naturally into the Macromolecular
Structure and Function study sections. Metallobiochemical applications, in
a broad sense, including such topics as metals in biology, chemical
reactions and mechanisms, imaging agents, and molecular design, may be
clustered in MSF-A. In addition, glycobiology applications may be
clustered in MSF-B, and protein-protein and macromolecular assembly
interactions may be clustered in MSF-C. Crystallographic studies should be
at home in any of the three study sections.
Specific areas covered by MSF-A, -B, & C:
·
Macromolecular structure-function relationships
·
Protein, nucleic acid, and carbohydrate structures
·
Protein-ligand interactions
·
Enzymology
·
Macromolecular interactions
·
Molecular regulatory mechanisms
·
Theoretical studies
Additional areas for MSF-A may include:
·
Mechanistic enzymology of proteins and RNA
·
Theoretical studies of enzyme mechanisms
·
Inorganic and organic reactions and mechanisms of
biological relevance
·
Molecular design of drugs and other molecules
·
Metalloproteins
·
Enzymes, metals, and cofactors
·
Synthetic models of active sites
·
Mechanisms of post-transcriptional and
post-translational modifications
·
Inhibitors, their mechanisms of action, and their
design
Additional areas for MSF-B may include:
·
Sequence-structure-function correlations
·
Protein-ligand interactions
·
Structure determination of all macromolecules
·
Structure prediction
·
Mechanisms of protein and nucleic acid folding and
misfolding
·
Glycobiology
·
Protein and nucleic acid design
·
Conformational dynamics
·
Proteomics and glycomics
Additional areas for MSF-C may include:
·
Mechanisms of allostery
·
Protein-nucleic acid interactions
·
Molecular mechanism of signaling
·
Energy-dependent conformational changes (e.g.,
molecular motors)
·
Metabolic pathways and networks
·
Macromolecular assemblies and their design
·
Protein-protein interactions and protein interaction
networks
·
Biophysical studies of muscle structure and
function
·
Single molecule investigations and approaches to
improved detection of biological processes
The MSF Study Sections have the following shared
interests within the BCMB IRG:
·
With Synthetic and Biological Chemistry [SBC-A &
-B]: The SBC-A and SBC-B study sections have
shared interests in structure- and mechanism-based drug design with the
MSF-A study section. Applications that focus on synthetic or
medicinal chemistry may be assigned to SBC-A or SBC-B. Applications
that focus on biochemical, structural, mechanistic or computational
approaches may be assigned to MSF-A.
·
With Biochemistry and Biophysics of Membranes
[BBM]: Studies of membrane-bound enzymes may be
considered by MSF-A if the primary emphasis is on chemical mechanisms,
otherwise they may be considered by BBM. Investigations of soluble domains
of membrane-bound proteins (including receptors) may be reviewed by MSF-C
if the primary emphasis is on their extra-membrane function.
·
With Enabling Bioanalytical and Biophysical
Technologies [EBT]: Studies addressing improvements in
biomolecular structure determination may be directed to MSF-B if they are
targeted to a specific biological problem or are likely to yield short
term benefits. More speculative projects and ones that may require a
number of years to achieve fruition may be directed to EBT.
The MSF Study Sections have the following shared
interests outside the BCMB IRG:
·
With the Genes, Genomes, and Genetics [GGG]
IRG: The MSF Study Sections share interests
with the GGG IRG in the area of structural and mechanistic investigations
of gene function. If focus is on structural and mechanistic investigations
of gene function that are making use of emerging biophysical
methodologies, then appropriate assignment may be to one of the MSF study
sections. If focus is on genetic aspects of gene function, then assignment
may be to GGG.
·
With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: The MSF Study
Sections share interests with the CB IRG in the area of cell function.
Applications that focus on biophysical questions may be appropriate for
one of the MSF study sections. Applications that focus on cell biological
questions may be appropriate for one of the CB study sections.
·
With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies
[BST] IRG: The MSF Study Sections share interests with the BST
IRG in the areas of computational biology and bioinformatics. Applications
in these areas that include the use of structural and biophysical
information may be appropriate for the MSF-B or MSF-C study sections.
Applications in these areas that include the use of bioengineering
information may be appropriate for the BST IRG.
·
With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA];
Immunology [IMM]; Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM]; AIDS and
Related Research [AARR]; Oncological Sciences [ONC]; Hematology [HEME];
Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]; Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and
Reproductive Sciences [EMNR]; Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences
[MOSS], Digestive Sciences [DIG], Respiratory Sciences [RES], Renal and
Urological Sciences [RUS], and the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental
Neuroscience [MDCN] IRGs: Applications with an organ
or disease focus may be of interest to the MSF Study Sections,
particularly in the areas of structure determination, drug design, and
medicinal chemistry. For applications with focus on questions of the
specific organ or disease, including preclinical and clinical studies,
assignment to the organ or disease IRGs may be appropriate. For
applications with focus on basic questions of structure determination or
early drug discovery (hit to lead and lead optimization), assignment to
one of the MSF Study Sections may be appropriate.
[Back to Top]
Biochemistry and Biophysics
of Membranes Study Section [BBM]
[BBM Roster]
The BBM Study Section will consider research
applications focused on all biochemical and biophysical aspects of
membrane structure and function. Cell membranes play a vital role in
many areas of cell biology, which means considerable overlap with cell
biology-related IRGs. The distinguishing characteristic of
applications reviewed by the BBM study section is a direct focus on the
molecular details of processes that occur on or within membranes. Areas include
the use of a variety of biochemical and biophysical techniques to
understand the structure and function of membranes.
Specific areas covered by BBM include:
·
Membrane architecture
·
Membrane protein folding, assembly, and dynamics
·
Membrane protein structure
·
Methods for membrane protein structure determination,
including crystallization
·
Membrane-based energy transduction
·
Function of transporters, channels, receptors, and
membrane-bound enzymes
·
Enzyme mechanism within membranes and interfaces
·
Lipid metabolism and function
·
Biophysics of membrane interfaces and signaling
·
Lipid-protein interactions
·
Biophysics of membrane fusion mechanisms
·
Computational and modeling approaches to membranes
and membrane proteins
·
Structure of membrane glycoproteins and
glycolipids
BBM has the following shared interests within the
BCMB IRG:
·
With Synthetic and Biological Chemistry [SBC-A &
-B]: The SBC-A and SBC-B study sections have
shared interests in enzymology with the BBM study section. Applications
that focus extensively on enzymes that are potential targets for drug
design and approach these targets using medicinal/synthetic chemistry
methodologies may be assigned to SBC-A or SBC-B. Studies that
focus on membrane enzymes as potential targets for drugs and approach
these targets using biochemical, structural or computational methodologies
may be assigned to BBM.
·
With Macromolecular Structure and Function A
[MSF-A]: Enzyme mechanisms are a shared interest. If the study
of an enzyme mechanism does not take place within membranes or at membrane
interfaces, assignment for review may be to MSF-A. If the study involves
an enzyme mechanism within or at the surface of a membrane, assignment for
review may be to BBM.
·
With Macromolecular Structure and Function B
[MSF-B]: Protein folding is a shared interest. If
applications concern folding processes or structures of domains of
membrane associated-proteins that do not specifically involve membrane
components, they may be assigned to MSF-B. If applications concern folding
processes that occur in membranes or aspects of macromolecular domain
structure related to signaling through the membrane, they may be assigned
to BBM.
·
With Macromolecular Structure and Function C
[MSF-C]: Investigations of soluble domains of membrane-bound
proteins (including receptors) may be reviewed by MSF-C if the primary
emphasis is on their extra-membrane function.
·
With Enabling Bioanalytical and Biophysical
Technologies [EBT]: Studies of methods development are a
shared interest. Applications focused on development of methods with
general applicability could be assigned to EBT. Applications focused on
development of methods for membrane protein structure determination,
including crystallization, could be assigned to BBM.
BBM has the
following shared interests outside the BCMB IRG:
·
With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: Molecular
studies of membrane, protein, and organelle trafficking are shared
interests between the CB IRG and the BBM study section. Applications that
focus on the cell biology of membrane and protein trafficking, transport,
and organelles could be referred to the CB IRG. Applications
that focus on biochemical and biophysical aspects of these processes could
be referred to the BBM study section.
·
With the Immunology [IMM]; Infectious Diseases and
Microbiology [IDM]; AIDS and Related Research [AARR]; and the Molecular,
Cellular, and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] IRGs: Membrane biochemistry and
protein-protein interactions between cells and channels are shared
interests with these IRGs and the BBM study section. If an
application focuses on an immunological, infectious disease, or
neuroscientific question, then assignment to the appropriate organ or
disease IRG may be appropriate. If an application focuses on biochemical
or biophysical principles of membrane components, then assignment to BBM
may be appropriate.
[Back to Top]
Enabling Bioanalytical and
Biophysical Technologies Study Section [EBT]
[EBT Roster]
The EBT study section will consider applications
(R01, R21, SBIR/STTR, etc.) focused on the development of new
bioanalytical and biophysical tools, emerging techniques, and
instruments.
The goal of these will be to probe the molecular aspects of
biological systems. Both hypothesis driven and
non-hypothesis driven applications are expected. Many of these
applications will explore either novel technologies or improvements to
existing techniques such as improved resolution, sensitivity, throughput,
and the fundamental underpinnings of these techniques.
Specific
areas covered by EBT include:
