Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences IRG [MOSS] 
The
Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG will consider research
applications that address structural systems that are prerequisite for
physical form, mechanical function, movement, and integrity of the
body. These structural systems and their components are the basis
for the organization of the study sections of this IRG and are described
according to the following topical areas: skeleton, spine, bone,
connective tissue, extracellular matrix, and their related
diseases/disorders; dental/oral and craniofacial and their related
diseases/disorders; skeletal muscle, limb, and their related
diseases/disorders; joints and their related diseases/disorders, including
rheumatic diseases; skin and its related diseases/disorders. Autoimmune
diseases are specifically included. For these topical areas, the
studies considered range from molecular genetics and stem cell research to
animal models and clinical trials. For each major topical area, the
research applications may include studies of: basic biology,
including growth, development, maturation, and aging; biomaterials for
prostheses/orthotics and implants; pathogenesis and therapeutics; physical
rehabilitation; exercise; mechanobiology/biomechanics; injury and repair,
including adaptation, plasticity, degeneration, and regeneration;
diagnostic markers and biomarkers; cell and gene-based therapies; and
clinical outcomes and trials.
The
following Study Sections are included within the MOSS IRG:
Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences [ODCS]
Skeletal Biology Development and Disease [SBDD]
Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration [SBSR]
Skeletal Muscle Biology and Exercise Physiology [SMEP]
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences [MRS]
Arthritis, Connective Tissue, and Skin [ACTS]
Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering[MTE]
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Special Emphasis Panel [CFS SEP]
Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences Small Business
(SBIR/STTR) Activities Special Emphasis Panels [MOSS Small Business SEPs]
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[ODCS Roster]
The Oral, Dental
and Craniofacial Sciences [ODCS] study section reviews applications
involving basic, applied and clinical aspects of the development, biology,
pathology and repair of oral, dental and craniofacial tissues.
Specific
areas covered by ODCS:
- Biochemistry,
molecular and cell biology of oral and craniofacial structures:
tissue organization and structure, including cell-extracellular matrix
and cell-cell interactions in dentin, cementum, enamel and craniofacial
and alveolar bone; associated diseases and disorders of these
structures; salivary gland and oral mucosa; TMJ-associated structures,
including ligaments and muscles, and their associated diseases and
disorders.
- Development and patterning of craniofacial, oral and
dental structures, including: genetics and gene discovery; normal
development and patterning of pharyngeal and musculoskeletal structures
of the head and face; patterning of the dentition; formation of
periodontal tissues and attachment complex; and developmental anomalies
of these craniofacial, oral and dental structures.
- Function and physiology of salivary gland and the
oral mucosal environment: salivary secretions and crevicular fluids;
salivary proteins, saliva chemistry and diagnostics; salivary gland
pathology, including Sjogren’s syndrome; and radiation- and systemic
disease-induced xerostomia.
- Oral bacterial pathogenesis, including oral
microbiological infections; study of the role of inflammation and the
immune system in oral diseases processes and prevention, etiology and
agents involved in caries, periodontal diseases; other oral and hard
tissue infections; biofilms of oral tissues; and systemic consequences
of oral microbial infections.
- Biomimetics and bioengineering of dental and
craniofacial tissues: biomimetic approaches for repair and replacement
of dental and craniofacial tissues and associated structures, including
the TMJ, salivary gland and masticatory musculature; dental restorative
materials; biomechanics at micro- and macro levels; bioengineering,
including cell- and gene-based therapy, drug delivery, reconstruction
and repair of the oral tissues, craniofacial skeleton, and TMJ;
reconstruction and regeneration of the salivary gland; salivary gland as
a vehicle for oral and systemic gene therapy; biosensors; and structural
and diagnostic imaging.
ODCS has the following shared interests within the
MOSS IRG:
- Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin
[ACTS] and Skeletal Muscle Biology and Exercise Physiology
[SMEP] study sections: A) If the primary focus of an application is on TMJ
and associated local musculature, rather than on systemic disease,
assignment may be to the Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences [ODCS];
B) If the focus is on salivary gland, rather than on other systems,
assignment could be assigned to the Oral, Dental and Craniofacial
Sciences [ODCS].
- Skeletal Biology Development
and Disease [SBDD]: Applications
studying bone biology in craniofacial mineralized tissues, including
craniofacial, intramembranous and alveolar bone may be assigned to the
Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences [ODCS], Skeletal Biology
Development and Disease [SBDD] or Skeletal Biology Structure and
Regeneration [SBSR] depending on the central focus of the
application. Applications focused on cementum, dentin and enamel
may be assigned to Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences [ODCS].
Studies of biomineralization of bone, dentin, cartilage and other
tissues may be consolidated in Skeletal Biology Development and Disease
[SBDD].
ODCS has the
following shared interests outside the MOSS IRG:
- With the Biology of
Development and Aging [BDA] IRG: In general,
applications that focus on early development (such
as cell cycle control, apoptosis, cell fate, or early pattern formation)
would be assigned to the BDA IRG. Similarly, when the question
being addressed is germane to the development of more than a single
organ system, either because it addresses the "primordial organ" or
because of the generality of the process being studied, the application
would be assigned to the BDA IRG. Studies focused on development
of a specific organ or tissue would be reviewed in the context of that
organ system. In the case of craniofacial, oral and dental
structures assignment would be to Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences
[ODCS]. Assignment should be made based on the central focus of
the application.
- With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies
[BST] IRG: Grant applications focused
on dental and
craniofacial tissue mechanisms and therapies and the application of medical implant
materials, may be assigned to ODCS. Grant applications
focused on developing technologies to introduce genes and drugs in a
general cellular context are relevant to BST IRG. Applications on
general biocompatibility and new material development could be assigned
to the BST or SBIB IRGs.
- With the Health of the Population [HOP] IRG and the
Risk, Prevention, and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: Behavior modification directed toward the
prevention and treatment of oral or dental health could be assigned to
the HOP IRG and RPHB IRG. Applications in which the primary
outcome is evaluation of behavior are also appropriate for the HOP IRG
and the RPHB IRG. Population studies related to demographics or large-
scale interventions may generally be assigned to the HOP IRG.
Applications on the diseases or functional consequences of behaviors
could be assigned to ODCS.
- With the Immunology [IMM]
IRG: The IMM IRG may be assigned applications
concerning the etiology and pathogenesis of organ-specific and systemic
autoimmune diseases. ODCS may be assigned applications on
inflammatory and degenerative diseases of oral soft and hard
tissues. ODCS is complementary to the IMM IRG with respect to
those applications requiring expertise in pathogenic effector mechanisms
and specific factors or structures relevant to target organ damage and
repair. Similarly, the IMM IRG is complementary to ODCS with
respect to those applications requiring expertise in immunopathogenic
mechanisms.
- With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM]
IRG: Oral microbiology applications may be assigned to
ODCS. The IDM IRG may be assigned applications where the focus is
on the bacteria per se rather than the oral hard and soft tissues.
This may include colonization and mechanisms of pathogenesis, but the
two IRGs complement each other in these areas.
- With the AIDS and Related Research [AARR]
IRG: Studies of oral manifestations of HIV and
AIDS should be assigned to the AARR IRG.
- With the Oncological Sciences [ONC]
IRG: Applications focused on head, neck or oral
cancers may be assigned to the ONC IRG. Studies on pre-neoplatic,
dysplastic and hyperplastic lesions and disorders may be assigned to
ODCS.
- With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and
Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: Applications that focus upon nutrients, or general
nutrition, may be assigned to EMNR IRG. The effects of
nutrients and other food components where oral or dental disease may be
a part of the study could be assigned to the EMNR IRG. Basic,
translational or clinical applications with a primary focus on oral and
dental disease, where nutrients or general nutrition may be a part of
the study may be assigned to ODCS.
- With the Surgical Sciences,
Biomedical Imaging, and Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: Grant applications focused
on dental and
craniofacial tissue mechanisms, medical implant materials and devices,
or imaging may be assigned to ODCS. Applications on general
biocompatibility and new material development could be assigned to
either the BST IRG or SBIB IRG.
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[SBDD Roster]
The Skeletal
Biology Development and Disease [SBDD] study section reviews grant
applications that deal with the basic and translational aspects of the
cells and matrix and their organization in skeletal tissues, including
bone, cartilage, and other connective tissues, with a focus on cellular
and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, development,
biomineralization, aging, heritable and metabolic bone diseases,
pathogenesis, and hormonal and paracrine functions.
Specific areas covered by SBDD:
- Molecular and cellular
biological and biochemical aspects of osteoblasts, chondrocytes,
connective tissue cells, osteoclasts and other cells in the marrow
environment in both normal and pathological conditions; studies of
calcitropic hormones and paracrine factors involved in the biology of
these cells; physical and mechanical influences on cellular behavior;
role of bone in mineral ion homeostasis.
- Mechanisms of skeletal patterning; biology
of mesenchymal progenitor cells and their differentiation; regulation of
osteoclast lineage; cellular proliferation, lineage commitment,
differentiation, apoptosis and their abnormalities; cellular aspects of
aging of the skeleton.
- Structural and organizational aspects of
bone and cartilage: cortical vs. trabecular bone; interactions between
musculoskeletal elements; remodeling of the skeleton.
- Extracellular matrix: biomineralization of the
extracellular matrix of skeletal and connective tissues and its
regulation; structure and organization of matrix components; cell matrix
interaction and signaling.
- Genetic linkage studies, gene discovery,
gene expression in animal models and humans; models for gene
therapy.
- Studies of molecular
pathogenesis and biology of bone disease, in vitro studies and animal
models of the effects of primary tumors and metastasis to bone on
function.
- Diseases of the skeleton
and mineral metabolism in humans and animal models: biomarkers, natural
history, imaging and therapeutics as they apply to clinical and basic
studies of osteoporosis, osteomalacia and other metabolic bone diseases;
osteogenesis imperfecta; Paget’s disease of bone; chondrodystrophies,
osteodystrophies; diseases of mineral ion homeostasis associated with
abnormalities of parathyroid hormone, Vitamin D, calcitonin and other
hormonal and paracrine
factors.
SBDD has
the following shared interests within the MOSS IRG:
- Arthritis, Connective Tissue, and Skin
[ACTS]: Changes in extracellular
matrix that occur in arthridites, skin, and skeletal muscle
disease. In general, applications that focus on abnormalities of
matrix limited to bone and cartilage and associated tendon and ligament
structures would be assigned to the SBDD.
- Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration
[SBSR]: The study of
skeletal cell biology is shared with SBSR. The focus of SBSR
is primarily injury and repair while that of SBDD is on basic and
translational studies.
- Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences
[ODCS]: Studies of bone and
cartilage biology in craniofacial structures may be assigned to either
ODCS or SBDD. In general, studies of biomineralization would be
consolidated in SBDD with other skeletal studies of this topic.
SBDD has
the following shared interests outside the MOSS IRG:
-
With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG]
IRG: Studies of the genetic analyses of skeletal
diseases could be assigned to SBDD. Studies of quantitative
genetics, genetic epidemiology and genetic analysis of complex traits,
and genetically engineered animals with an emphasis on systems
physiology rather than skeletal diseases may be assigned to the GGG
IRG.
-
With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA]
IRG: Studies of early developmental biology may
be assigned to the BDA IRG. When the focus is on lineages
committed to formation of skeletal elements, assignment could be to
SBDD. When osteoporosis is a secondary aspect of a multi-system
study of the aging process, assignment could be appropriate for the BDA
IRG; when osteoporosis is the primary study focus, the assignment may be
to SBDD.
-
With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies
[BST] IRG: Grant applications focused
on biomineralization and the application of
medical
implant materials may be assigned to SBDD. Applications on general
biocompatibility and new material development could be assigned to the
BST IRG. Grant applications focused on developing technologies to
introduce genes and drugs in a general cellular context are relevant to
the BST IRG.
-
With the Health of the Population [HOP]
IRG: In general, studies of the epidemiology of
osteoporosis and other bone diseases would be assigned to the HOP IRG
study sections as appropriate.
-
With the Oncological Sciences [ONC]
IRG: In general, studies of bone tumors would be
assigned to the ONC IRG. In general, when interactions between the
bone/marrow microenvironment and metastatic cells are crucial to the
function of the musculoskeletal system assignment would be to SBDD or
SBSR.
-
With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and
Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: (1) There are shared interests in the
areas related to remodeling and pelvic floor support. Applications
whose endpoints are remodeling of reproductive tissues may be assigned
to the EMNR IRG. On the other hand, basic or translational studies
evaluating alterations in the supporting pelvic floor musculoskeletal
structures could be assigned to SBDD. (2) Applications that focus upon
nutrients, or general nutrition, may be assigned to the EMNR IRG.
The effects of nutrients and other food components where bone disease
may a part of the study may be assigned to EMNR IRG. Basic or
translational applications with a primary focus on bone disease, where
nutrients or general nutrition may be a part of the study may be
assigned to SBDD.
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The Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration
[SBSR] study section reviews applications involving both basic and applied
aspects of the musculoskeletal system, with a focus on bone, cartilage,
ligament, and tendon at the tissue and organ level; their interaction in
joints, including those in the spine; their development; their response to
normal loading, injury, aging, and disease and disorders; as well as their
regeneration and repair, all using cell, tissue, and animal models and
human subjects.
Specific
areas covered by SBSR:
-
Molecular and cell biology of bone, cartilage,
tendon, and ligament injury and repair.
-
Gene expression, gene regulation, and gene therapy
in the processes of injury and repair of musculoskeletal
tissues.
-
Mechanobiology and biomedical mechanics at the
molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ level.
-
Understanding of the nature of injuries, disorders,
and diseases involving the musculoskeletal system of developmental,
infectious, degenerative, traumatic, and age-related etiologies.
This includes sports-related and repetitive motion disorders and the
wear, injury-induced, and degenerative changes manifest in articular and
meniscal cartilage.
-
Characterization of the intrinsic capacity of
musculoskeletal tissues and joints to repair and regenerate, as well as
the development and application of strategies to enhance repair,
including the use of biomolecular (e.g. cytokines, growth, and
differentiation factors), biomaterials, mechanical and cellular
approaches (tissue engineering), limb lengthening techniques, and
targeted physical rehabilitation programs.
-
Joint mechanics (including forces and kinematics)
and joint replacement (including design, materials, fixation, wear, and
other modes of failure.
SBSR has
the following shared interests within the MOSS IRG:
-
Arthritis, Connective Tissue, and Skin
[ACTS]: Changes in articular
cartilage (cells, matrix, and architecture) occur in the inflammatory
arthridites (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) as well as osteoarthritis.
ACTS could review studies of arthritis focusing on systemic inflammatory
processes. Studies of cartilage degeneration and associated
changes in bone and joints following joint injury and instability, or
developmental disorders (e.g. DDH), as well as the study of articular
cartilage in normal growth and development could be assigned to
SBSR. Studies of injuries and their treatment for conditions, such
as osteochrondritis dissecans and osteoarticular fractures, may be
assigned to SBSR.
-
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences
[MRS]: SBSR may review physical
rehabilitation programs that relate directly to the success of treatment
strategies associated with injuries or post-operative conditions of
isolated musculoskeletal conditions. Studies dealing with more
systemic or multisystems disorders and/or degenerative states could be
considered for review by MRS.
-
Skeletal Biology Development and Disease
[SBDD]: Given the close link
between bone research, basic and applied, there will be shared interests
regarding applications that take a broad approach to musculoskeletal
tissues. Studies more appropriate for SBSR will have greater
emphasis on the repair of bone, connective tissue, tendons/ligaments,
and subsequent function of these tissues.
SBSR has
the following shared interests outside the MOSS IRG:
-
With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA]
IRG: Studies of musculoskeletal system development and
aging are shared with the BDA IRG. Studies that address questions
specifically applicable to the musculoskeletal system may be assigned to
SBSR. Studies that use the musculoskeletal system as a model to
address questions having broad applicability for either developmental
biology or the biology of aging could be assigned to the BDA IRG.
Studies of early developmental biology could be assigned to the BDA IRG;
when the focus is on lineages committed to formation of musculoskeletal
elements, assignment could be to SBSR.
-
With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes
[BBBP] IRG and the Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive Neuroscience
[IFCN] IRG: Nerve injury and
repair related to targeted musculoskeletal conditions constitute shared
interests with the BBBP and IFCN IRGs, but may be included in SBSR.
-
With the Oncological Sciences [ONC]
IRG: Studies of musculoskeletal oncology may be
assigned to SBSR when the emphasis of the study is on the function of
the musculoskeletal system or elucidation of the nature of growth,
development, aging, or other disease of skeletal tissues. The ONC
IRG could be assigned other aspects of musculoskeletal
oncology.
-
With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and
Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: (1) There are shared interests in the
areas of remodeling and pelvic floor support. Applications whose
endpoints are remodeling of reproductive tissues may be assigned to the
EMNR IRG. On the other hand, studies evaluating alterations in the
supporting pelvic floor musculoskeletal structures may be assigned to
SBSR. (2) The effects of nutrients and other food components
where bone disease may a part of the study may be assigned to the EMNR
IRG. Applications with a primary focus on bone disease, injury or
repair, where nutrients or general nutrition may be a part of the study
may be assigned to SBSR.
-
With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and
Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG and the Bioengineering Sciences &
Technologies [BST] IRG: Studies of the load-bearing requirements of
implants intended to replace or reinforce portions of the skeletal
system, and studies examining tissue engineering, biomaterials, and
implant mechanics specific to the musculoskeletal system could be
assigned to SBSR. Studies designed to address more general
principles of biomaterial design and development and non-musculoskeletal
aspects of tissue engineering and biomechanics may be considered under
the auspices of the BST IRG and the SBIB IRG.
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[SMEP Roster]
The Skeletal
Muscle Biology and Exercise Physiology [SMEP] study section will consider
molecular, cellular, physiological and integrative studies of normal and
altered skeletal muscle function and processes that range from molecular
genetics, to structure-function relationships, to integrative and
functional studies on human mobility and exercise, and health.
Integrative studies include development and aging, as well as gender and
ethnicity differences in muscle function. Therapeutic and preventive
interventions as they relate to skeletal muscle function are
included. Studies of the biochemistry and molecular biology of
skeletal muscle and injuries, and diseases of muscle will be included for
review in this study section. The goal is to provide a comprehensive
review of skeletal muscle biology and muscle diseases, plasticity in adult
skeletal muscle and aging, repair and exercise.
Specific
areas covered by SMEP:
- Studies of skeletal muscle proteins:
Biochemical and molecular biological research on
skeletal muscle-specific proteins, including, but not limited to
actin, myosin, titin, dystrophin, sarcoglycans, sarcoendoplasmic
reticulum calcium ATPase acetylcholine receptor, ion channels,
membrane cytoskeletal proteins, basement membrane proteins, growth
factor and hormone receptors, nuclear and sarcolemmal receptors, and
anchor proteins.
Studies of
skeletal muscle cells:
- Research on
excitability, excitation-contraction coupling, and calcium regulation.
- Molecular studies of force
generation
,
mechanics of force generation in muscle fibers, and transmission force
to tendon and bone.
- Cell-cell and cell-matrix
interactions.
- Signal
transduction pathways in normal and altered states.
- Physiological evaluation of skeletal muscle gene
function.Stem and satellite cell biology.
- Regulation
of skeletal muscle energy and substrate metabolism and control of
individual processes and networks, including
mitochondrial.
Studies of
skeletal muscle as a tissue:
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms of
skeletal muscle adaptation, growth, injury, repair,
degeneration, and regeneration; effects of atrophy, exercise and
inactivity, maturation, nutrition, and the aging process on skeletal
muscle function, protein turnover, and metabolism; normal and abnormal
neural control of muscle fiber type and molecular phenotype.
- Imaging of skeletal muscle properties,
metabolism, and mechanical dynamics - for example PET, MRS, MRI,
and ultrasound.
- Skeletal
muscle biology of sarcopenia.
Integrative functions:
- Use of exercise in treatment and prevention of aging
and/or diseases related to skeletal muscle wasting and maintenance of
functional capacity; role of exercise training in the enhancement of
physical performance in athletes and as a therapy. Muscle metabolism and
metabolic interactions with other systems in so far as they influence
skeletal muscle function and disease.
- Physiologic interactions between skeletal muscle
and other systems and disease when skeletal muscle function is the
primary focus; studies of skeletal muscle cell and organ properties
that influence the output of the nervous system.
- Mechanisms involved in alterations of skeletal
muscle function and capacity due to systemic diseases or to their
treatments, such as Type II diabetes and congestive heart failure;
glucose transport in skeletal muscle and responses to
exercise.
Skeletal muscle diseases:
- Evaluation of gene function, and development of
genetic models; mapping, cloning, and mutation/SNP analysis of normal
and altered genes in skeletal muscle function.
- Pathophysiology of skeletal muscle disorders and
diseases, including the muscular dystrophies, atrophy, myotonia,
periodic paralysis, malignant hyperthermia, and inflammatory
myopathies; inflammatory processes of skeletal muscle, as a primary
disease process or as secondary manifestation; pharmacological
interventions and pre-clinical approaches
- Cell and gene therapies for skeletal muscle
diseases.
SMEP has
the following shared interests within the MOSS IRG:
- Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin
[ACTS]: Studies in inflammatory
myopathies (e.g., polymyositis, dermatomyositis) represent a shared
interest of SMEP and ACTS. Proposals could be reviewed in either
study section. Those focused more on systemic disease and
autoimmune aspects may be appropriate for ACTS. Those focused more
on skeletal muscle involvement of inflammatory muscle disease may be
more appropriate for SMEP.
- Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences
[ODCS]: The complex interactions of
TMJ disease should be reviewed in the ODCS. Studies involving
craniofacial muscles aimed at examining basic aspects of muscle function
may be referred to SMEP.
- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences
[MRS]: Studies on exercise and
inactivity that focus on skeletal muscle growth and regeneration,
contractile activity, or metabolism could be assigned to SMEP. Studies
on the use of exercise in rehabilitation, or that are concerned with
multiple aspects of the musculoskeleton, may be assigned to
MRS.
SMEP has
the following shared interests outside the MOSS IRG:
- With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular
Biophysics [BCMB] IRG and the Cell Biology [CB] IRG:
Studies designed to address general principles of
protein or membrane structure, or cell function, and that use skeletal
muscle elements primarily as a convenient source of material, may be
considered under the BCMB and CB IRGs. In general, studies of
muscle structure and function that use primarily biophysical techniques
(e.g., X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy/image reconstruction,
electron spin resonance, and single molecular techniques) would be
assigned to the SMEP study section.
- With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG]
IRG: Studies of quantitative genetics, genetic
epidemiology and genetic analysis of complex traits, and genetically
engineered animals with an emphasis on systems physiology rather than
integrated muscle function may be assigned to the GGG IRG.
- With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA]
IRG: Studies on
sarcopenia, age-related decreases in skeletal muscle mass, strength and
quality, when the focus is on muscle function, regeneration, contractile
activity, or metabolism, could be assigned SMEP. Studies on skeletal
muscle that are testing hypotheses about mechanisms of aging that affect
multiple systems or non-muscle tissues could be assigned to BDA IRG
(e.g., hypotheses on mechanisms of extension of lifespan by caloric
restriction). Studies on skeletal muscle mass or properties that
are part of studies of multiple age-related changes in physiology or
body composition (e.g. fat, cardiovascular and bone) could be assigned
to BDA IRG. Studies examining early events in development,
even if they are relevant to skeletal muscle may be assigned to BDA
IRG. Other overlapping interests may include regulation of the
cell cycle, apoptosis, and skeletal muscle cell senescence.
-
With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies
[BST] IRG: Studies of the use of skeletal muscle as a
platform for gene delivery for non-muscle diseases, such as for vaccine
development, may be assigned to BST IRG. Application of gene
delivery technologies when it is specific for skeletal muscle and
skeletal muscle diseases may be more appropriate for SMEP.
Development of novel technologies may be assigned to the BST
IRG.
- With the Health of the Population [HOP] IRG and the
Risk, Prevention, and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: Behavior
modification directed toward the prevention and treatment of skeletal
muscle disorders could be assigned to the HOP IRG and the RPHB
IRG. Applications in which the primary outcome is evaluation of
behavior are also appropriate for the HOP IRG. Population studies
related to demographics may generally be assigned to the HOP IRG.
Applications on the diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of
behaviors could be assigned to SMEP.
-
With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]
IRG: SMEP and the CVS IRG
have complementary roles and mutual interests in two areas of
research. (1) In general, the influence of exercise on the
cardiovascular system would be assigned to the CVS IRG. Similar
studies where the focus is on the musculoskeletal system could be
assigned to SMEP. Studies that focus on blood flow in skeletal
muscle in response to exercise would be assigned on the basis of the
central interests of the application. (2) In order to cluster
appropriate expertise, studies of cardiomyopathy in muscular dystrophies
would be assigned to SMEP.
-
With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and
Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: (1) Applications dealing
with exercise may be an area of shared interest with the EMNR IRG.
If the application primarily deals with the effects of exercise on the
treatment, prevention or consequences of obesity and diabetes or insulin
action, it could be assigned to the EMNR IRG. Applications dealing
primarily with the effects of exercise on skeletal muscle function may
be assigned to SMEP. (2) Applications that focus upon nutrients
and other food components, or general nutrition, may be assigned to the
EMNR IRG. The effects of nutrients and other food components
where skeletal muscle may a part of the study may also be assigned to
the EMNR IRG. Basic, translational or clinical applications with a
primary focus on skeletal muscle health and disease, where nutrients or
general nutrition may be a part of the study may be assigned to
SMEP. (3) Proposals that focus primarily upon glucose and lipid
metabolism, or the effects of obesity, diabetes, or dietary changes on
the whole body or multiple organ systems are appropriate for the EMNR
IRG. Applications dealing primarily with the effects of exercise,
diabetes or nutrition on skeletal muscle mass or metabolism may be
assigned to SMEP.
-
With the Respiratory Sciences [RES]
IRG: Applications focused upon the
mechanical/ventilatory action of the respiratory muscles, including the
ventilatory consequences of muscle disease, could be assigned to the RES
IRG. Studies involving respiratory muscles aimed at examining basic
aspects of muscle function (such as cell biology, adaptation, muscle
fatigue, and the study of muscular dystrophies) may be assigned to
SMEP.
- With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and
Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: Studies of bioengineering
and imaging are appropriate for SMEP when they focus on skeletal muscle
cell, tissue and organ function and on integrated skeletal muscle
function in limb function and physical rehabilitation. Studies on
technology development could be assigned to SBIB
IRG.
- With the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental
Neuroscience [MCDN] IRG; the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive
Neuroscience (IFCN) IRG; and the Brain Disorders and Clinical
Neuroscience (BDCN) IRG: In studies of motor
control, if the primary focus is on neural structure and function,
assignment could be to one of the neuroscience IRGs. When the
primary focus is on the role of skeletal muscle force production,
assignment may be to SMEP.
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Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences Study Section
[MRS]
[MRS Roster]
The Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences [MRS]
study section evaluates applications pertaining to the biological
mechanisms and therapeutics of impaired physical functioning, as well as
exercise and physical manipulation, as rehabilitation strategies as they
relate to the musculoskeletal system. The study section reviews both
regular research (R01, R21, and R03) applications as well as Small
Business and Technology Transfer (SBIR and STTR) applications relevant to
the topics covered.
Specific
areas covered by MRS:
-
Rehabilitation strategies related to neural control
of movement (including stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease)
and function (including carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress
injuries, low back pain) as well as strategies to prevent additional
disabilities.
-
Studies of gait and
movement involving kinematics of movement and neural control of movement
or function in altered states as compared to
normal.
-
Motor control in integrated limb function including
studies of individuals with impairment or altered function compared to
normal.
-
Prostheses and orthotics, including neural
prosthetics related to the musculoskeletal system.
-
Robotic interventions to restore limb
function.
-
Biomechanics related to skeletal muscle activation
and control in rehabilitation.
-
Rehabilitative therapeutic interventions of the
musculoskeletal system.
-
Patient-oriented studies of rehabilitative
medicine.
-
Mechanisms of exercise in relation to
disability.
-
Use of traditional and alternative therapies in the
treatment of physical impairments.
-
SBIR/STTR studies relative to the physiological and
bioengineering principles of rehabilitation medicine, assistive
technologies and devices. These include gait analysis and human
motion, monitoring of body external body movements and temperature,
orthotics, prosthetic development and devices for motor function,
wheelchairs and mobility aids, and exercise equipment.
MRS has the
following shared interests within the MOSS IRG:
- Skeletal Biology Development and Disease [SBDD] and
Skeletal Biology Structure
and Regeneration [SBSR]: Clinical studies of bone fragility (osteoporosis)
may be reviewed in SBDD. Studies of joint mechanics, or joint
replacement, when the emphasis is internal to the tissue/body may be
reviewed in SBSR. Investigations involving prosthetics or orthotics
external to the body can be assigned to MRS. Similarly, studies of the
repair of elements of the musculoskeletal system (using biomaterials,
mechanical/cellular approaches, tissue engineering strategies), when the
emphasis is internal to the tissue/body, can be reviewed in SBSR.
Investigations related to the use or development of external
devices/strategies for rehabilitation may be assigned to MRS.
- Skeletal Muscle Biology and Exercise Physiology
[SMEP]: Studies dealing with
exercise and inactivity that focus on skeletal muscle growth and
regeneration, contractile activity, or metabolism may be assigned to
SMEP. Investigations of the use of exercise in rehabilitation that
are concerned with multiple aspects of the musculoskeleton, can be
assigned to MRS. Studies that focus on strategies to compensate for
atrophied tissue using engineering or other less direct approaches, and
studies to prevent disuse atrophy as a complication of existing
disabilities, can be assigned to
MRS.
MRS has the following shared interests outside the
MOSS IRG:
-
With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA]
IRG: Studies of aging, disability and rehabilitation
medicine are shared with BDA. Studies on musculoskeletal
rehabilitation medicine involving interactions with age-related changes
in other physiological systems could be assigned to the BDA IRG when
musculoskeletal function and rehabilitation are not the primary
focus. This includes both studies of effects of age-related
skeletal or muscle changes on other systems and effects of age-related
changes in other systems on skeletal or muscle tissues. Studies of
musculoskeletal tissue that are testing hypotheses about mechanisms of
aging that affect multiple systems or non-muscle tissues could be
assigned to the BDA IRG. When musculoskeletal rehabilitation is
the primary study focus, assignment may be to MRS.
- With the Health of the Population [HOP]
IRG: Applications related to the socio-environmental
influences, community-based interventions, nursing sciences, or
nursing practice could be reviewed in the HOP IRG. Investigations dealing
with the functional consequences of the intervention on physical well
being (e.g., the effect of exercise on increased flexibility, or the
effect of a prosthesis on greater mobility) may be evaluated in
MRS.
-
With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior
[RPHB] IRG: Applications related to
studies of behavioral approaches to, and consequences of rehabilitation
interventions can be assigned to the RPHB IRG. Investigations of
the functional consequences of the intervention on physical well being
may be evaluated in MRS.
-
With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes
[BBBP] IRG: There are mutual interests
in motor control, problems of development and aging in the
musculoskeletal system, and rehabilitative interventions.
Neurobehavioral aspects of movement in humans and developmental motor
issues (including cerebral palsy) could be assigned to BBBP. Behavioral
intervention and rehabilitation strategies, including occupational
and/or physical therapy, may be also evaluated in BBBP. If the focus of
the rehabilitation strategy is to improve the physical well being of the
individual or if the emphasis is on the rehabilitation of muscle and/or
orthopedic function (e.g., in stroke, Parkinson's disease), the
application may be reviewed by MRS.
- With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and
Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: Studies of bioengineering
and imaging are appropriate for MRS when the focus is physical
rehabilitation. Studies on technology development could be
assigned to the SBIB IRG.
- With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neurosciences
[BDCN] IRG: MRS and the BDCN IRG have
shared interests with respect to neuroprosthetic research on recovery
and rehabilitation. MRS has broad expertise in physical therapy,
physiology, and non-neuronal systems (specifically the musculoskeletal
system), while the BDCN IRG has particular expertise in the neural basis
of rehabilitation and recovery. As a consequence, studies related
to rehabilitation of individuals with neural diseases that have an
emphasis on the neural process may be assigned to the BDCN IRG.
When the emphasis is on the rehabilitation of muscle and/or orthopaedic
function (e.g., in stroke, Parkinson's disease), the application could
be assigned to MRS.
[Back to Top]
Arthritis, Connective Tissue
and Skin Study Section [ACTS]
[ACTS Roster]
The Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin Sciences
[ACTS] Study Section reviews basic and clinical research applications
dealing with the biology and diseases of joints, connective tissue, and
skin.
Specific areas covered by ACTS:
-
Arthritis and
Connective Tissue: This area includes inheritable, inflammatory
and degenerative diseases of joints and connective tissues, such as
systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome,
osteoarthritis, scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthropathies,
vasculitides, polymyalgia rheumatica, fibromyalgia, palindromic
arthritis, Lyme arthritis, septic arthritis, juvenile arthritis,
polymyositis, dermatomyositis, crystal-induced diseases, and
undifferentiated connective tissue diseases.
- Biology of the joint and connective tissue:
structure and function of cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, synovium,
extracellular matrix, capsule, joint fluid, blood vessels, innervation,
articular cartilage, muscle, skin, immune system and other organs
affected by rheumatic diseases.
- Pathogenesis of arthritis and related rheumatic
diseases including: genetic influences, environmental factors,
infectious agents, drugs, and other etiologic factors; mechanisms
involving inflammatory cells and mediators, immune cells and mediators,
tissue injury and degradation, regulation of tissue regeneration and
repair, angiogenesis, and other cells including chondrocytes,
fibroblasts, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, osteoclasts,
osteoblasts, stem cells and synovial cells. These disease–related mechanisms
include not only the joints but also all organs involved in systemic
rheumatic diseases.
- Clinical research in arthritis and related
rheumatic diseases: studies on natural history of disease; developmental
therapeutics and interventions; genetic linkage studies; imaging,
diagnostics, and biomarkers; pain, disability, physical rehabilitation,
fatigue, and functional measures of clinical outcomes.
-
Skin and Cutaneous Biology. This
area includes disorders of skin, such as inflammatory, pre-neoplastic,
and hyperproliferative disorders, as well as systemic diseases with
significant cutaneous involvement.
- Biology and physiology of the epidermis: role of
keratinocytes, melanocytes, and Langerhans cells in barrier function,
pigmentation, immune regulation, dermal-epidermal adhesion, and related
functions, and the regulation of their growth, adhesion and
differentiation.
- Biology and physiology of the dermis: synthesis,
assembly, and degradation of the extracellular matrix of connective
tissue and the dermo-epidermal basement membrane zone, angiogenesis,
innervation, and inflammation.
- Biology and physiology of skin appendages:
production of hair and nails, as well as development of hair follicles,
sebaceous and eccrine glands.
- Development and homeostasis of skin and its
appendages: epidermal and connective tissue stem cells; remodeling and
repair of skin with maturation, during wound healing and in response to
external stimuli; pre-neoplastic alterations of keratinocytes and
melanocytes (including altered gene expression, cell-cell and
cell-matrix interactions and immune processes that occur in the
skin).
- Study of diseases of skin and its appendages, as
well as systemic connective tissue diseases with skin involvement: study
of the role of inflammation and the immune system in the disease
process; perturbation in epidermal barrier function; diagnosis and
therapy of skin diseases; development of novel treatment modalities,
including gene therapy with skin as the effector
organ.
- Genetic basis of the expression of the disease
phenotype and susceptibility to skin and connective tissue disorders,
and use of animal models, including transgenics.
- Studies of skin
interactions with the environment: photoaging, UV sensitivity
reactions; role of skin in transepidermal delivery of drugs; role of
skin as a barrier against infectious, mechanical, and other toxic
insults.
ACTS has the following shared interests within the
MOSS IRG:
- Skeletal Biology Development and Disease [SBDD] and
Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration [SBSR]: Changes in articular cartilage (cells,
matrix, and architecture) occur in the inflammatory arthridites (e.g.
rheumatoid arthritis) as well as osteoarthritis. ACTS could review
studies of arthritis focusing on systemic inflammatory processes.
Applications
that focus on abnormalities of matrix limited to bone and cartilage and
associated tendon and ligament structures could be assigned to
SBDD. Studies of cartilage degeneration and associated
changes in bone and joints following joint injury and instability, or
developmental disorders (e.g. DDH), as well as the study of articular
cartilage in normal growth and development could be assigned to
SBSR. Studies of injuries and their treatment for conditions, such
as osteochrondritis dissecans and osteoarticular fractures, may be
assigned to SBSR.
- Skeletal Muscle Biology and Exercise Physiology
[SMEP]: Studies of the
clinical and immunological aspects of inflammatory muscle diseases may
be assigned to ACTS whereas studies on muscle cell function could be
assigned to SMEP.
ACTS has
the following shared interests outside the MOSS IRG:
-
With the Health of the Population [HOP] IRG and the
Risk, Prevention, and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: Behavior modification directed toward the
prevention and treatment of arthritis and rheumatic diseases, including
psychological aspects, could be assigned to the HOP IRG and the RPHB
IRG. Applications in which the primary outcome is evaluation of
behavior are also appropriate for the HOP IRG. Population studies
related to demographics may generally be assigned to the HOP IRG.
Applications on the diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of
behaviors could be assigned to ACTS.
-
With the Immunology [IMM] IRG: The IMM IRG may be assigned applications
concerning the etiology and pathogenesis of organ-specific and systemic
autoimmune diseases. ACTS may be assigned applications on
inflammatory and degenerative diseases of joints and connective
tissues. ACTS is complementary to IMM IRG with respect to those
applications requiring expertise in pathogenic effector mechanisms and
specific factors or structures relevant to target organ damage and
repair. Similarly, IMM IRG is complementary to ACTS with respect
to those applications requiring expertise in immunopathogenic
mechanisms. Areas of unavoidable shared interest such as systemic
lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis would be resolved according
to the central focus of the application.
-
With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM]
IRG: Studies that focus on the pathogen rather
than the target tissue may be assigned to the IDM IRG.
-
With the Oncological Sciences [ONC]
IRG: Studies of skin cancers and their clinical
management could be assigned to the ONC IRG. Studies of
pre-neoplastic skin lesions and disorders could be assigned to
ACTS.
-
With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and
Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: Applications that focus
upon nutrients, or general nutrition, may be assigned to the EMNR
IRG. The effects of nutrients and other food components
where connective tissue and skin may a part of the study may be assigned
to the EMNR IRG as well. Basic, translational or clinical
applications with a primary focus on connective tissue or skin, or
arthritis, where nutrients or general nutrition may be a part of the
study may be assigned to ACTS.
-
With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and
Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: Bioengineering studies of skin, cartilage and
connective tissue as well as the development of artificial skin,
cartilage and connective tissue may be assigned to ACTS, however,
capability to review these topics also resides in the SBIB
IRG. Studies of skin, cartilage and connective tissue which use
biomedical imaging could be assigned to ACTS, but capability
to review these topics also resides in the SBIB IRG. The
development of a device, system, or analytical technique to advance
biomedical imaging or a study in which a question about biomedical
imaging is being addressed could be assigned to the SBIB
IRG.
[Back to Top]
Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering Study Section
[MTE]
[MTE Roster]
The Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering
Study Section [MTE] reviews grant applications for tissue engineering and
related implant and other regenerative system and device development
projects that focus on the replacement or repair of damaged, missing or
poorly functioning musculoskeletal tissues, including bone, skeletal
muscle, cartilage, tendon and ligament. MTE may also lend its expertise to the
review of applications on skin tissue engineering. A central
theme of applications reviewed by MTE is translational research at the
interface between basic cellular processes, materials sciences and
modeling on the one hand, and clinical treatment on the other, with an
emphasis on pre-clinical biological questions.
Specific areas covered by MTE:
·
Extracellular matrix, cells and mechanical
and molecular signals with respect to:
o
Biomaterials; natural, synthetic and biomimetic scaffolds and delivery
agents for repair of musculoskeletal tissue.
o
Expansion and differentiation of progenitor cells,
including stem cells, for musculoskeletal tissue engineering.
o
Three dimensional mechanotransduction and chemical signaling for
musculoskeletal tissue engineering.
·
Bioreactors and biosensors for musculoskeletal tissue
engineering.
·
Cell, tissue and body biomechanics and mathematical
modeling with respect to musculoskeletal system tissues.
·
Mechanical, electrical and biomedical engineering
with respect to the repair or replacement of the musculoskeletal tissue
systems.
MTE has the following shared interests within the
MOSS IRG:
- Oral, Dental and
Craniofacial Sciences [ODCS]: Applications involving
existing dental restorative and prosthetic materials or their
derivatives, particularly in a clinical setting, are more likely to be
assigned to ODCS, while applications involving pre-clinical studies of
tissue integration and engineering of new materials or processes could
be assigned to MTE.
- Skeletal Biology Development and Diseases
[SBDD]: If an
application is focused upon craniofacial or other skeletal developmental
biology, then assignment to SBDD may be appropriate; if the focus is on
biomimetics and tissue
engineering as it pertains to craniofacial restoration and repair, or if
the focus is on the entire musculoskeletal system, then assignment to
MTE may be appropriate. Studies of biomineralization of bone, dentin, cartilage
and other tissues may be consolidated in SBDD.
- Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration
[SBSR]: If an application
involving tissue and cell biomechanics and finite element modeling of
bone and musculoskeletal soft tissue is directed toward mechanism of
development and repair, then assignment to SBSR may be appropriate; if
the thrust is toward tissue engineering and bioreactors, then assignment
to MTE may be appropriate. If an application involving development and
testing of orthopedic implant materials is directed toward clinical
orthopedics, then assignment to SBSR may be appropriate; if directed
toward in vitro and in vivo bone and cartilage tissue engineering, then
assignment to MTE may be appropriate.
- Skeletal Muscle Biology and Exercise Physiology
[SMEP]: Therapeutic
interventions as they relate to skeletal muscle function, injuries and
diseases of muscle may be assigned to SMEP. Similarly,
molecular and cellular mechanisms of skeletal muscle growth, injury,
repair, degeneration, and regeneration and normal and abnormal neural
control of muscle fiber type and molecular phenotype are appropriate for
SMEP. If the application addresses tissue engineering and related device
design for the replacement or repair of damaged, missing or poorly
functioning muscle or skeletal tissue, including devices that may
replace or assist the peripheral control of muscle [e.g.,
electromyography], then MTE may be appropriate.
- Musculoskeletal and Rehabilitation Sciences
[MRS]: If an application focused
on rehabilitation is therapeutically oriented and involves physiology,
prosthetics and orthotics, robotics, or physical therapy,
then assignment to MRS may be appropriate; if musculoskeletal tissue
engineering for the purpose of replacement or repair is the main issue,
then assignment to MTE may be appropriate.
- Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin
[ACTS]: Tissue
engineering studies of skin, cartilage and connective tissue,
including the development of artificial skin, cartilage and connective
tissue may be assigned to MTE, whereas the physiology and pathology of
regulation of skin, joint, connective tissue regeneration and repair
would be more appropriate for ACTS.
MTE has the following shared interests outside the
MOSS IRG:
- With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular
Biophysics [BCMB] IRG: There is shared interest
with MTE in the areas of biomaterials. Applications focusing on chemical
synthesis aspects of these topics could be assigned to BCMB.
Applications focusing on dental and orthopedic implants or tissue
integration could be assigned to MTE.
- With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: Studies designed to address general
principles of protein or membrane structure, extracellular matrix or cell function, and
that use musculoskeletal, oral, or skin elements primarily as a
convenient source of material, may be considered under the CB IRG.
In general, studies of musculoskeletal, oral and skin in the context of
tissue engineering would be assigned to the MTE study section.
- With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA]
IRG: There is shared interest with the BDA
IRG with respect to cell expansion and differentiation. If the
purpose of the application is early [pre-primordial] developmental
biology, then BDA may be appropriate. If musculoskeletal and connective
tissue repair or replacement is the subject, then MTE may be
appropriate. Applications focused on stem
cell biology with regard to totipotency and cell commitment may be
assigned to BDA. The application of stem cell
technology in connective, neuromuscular, or musculoskeletal tissue and
organ reparative medicine may be referred to MTE.
- With the Bioengineering
Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: Grant applications on
dental and orthopedic implants or tissue integration could be assigned
to MTE, whereas grant applications on basic research and development of
materials and surfaces that might be used for such implants could be
assigned to BST.
- With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]
IRG: There is shared interest with the CVS IRG with
respect to vascular assembly and repair. If the intent of the application is
the development, pathology and gene therapy of the vascular system or
general vascular tissue engineering, then assignment to CVS may be
appropriate, if the focus is vascular assembly specifically for bone and
connective tissue engineering, then MTE may be appropriate.
- With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and
Bioengineering [SBIB] and the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies
[BST] IRGs: Studies examining
tissue engineering and biomaterials specific to the musculoskeletal,
oral and skin systems could be assigned to MTE. Studies designed
to address more general principles of biomaterial design and development
and non-musculoskeletal aspects of tissue engineering and biomechanics
may be considered under the auspices of the BST IRG or the SBIB
IRG.
- With the Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive
Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG and the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes
[BBBP] IRGs: There is shared interest with IFCN and BBBP with
respect to motor systems and sensorimotor integration. If the
application addresses neural control of normal biological motor
function, then IFCN may be appropriate. Behavioral aspects of motor control,
movement disorders and sensorimotor integration might be assigned
to BBBP. If the application addresses device design and engineering for
the replacement or repair of damaged, missing or poorly functioning
muscle or skeletal tissue, including devices that may replace or assist
the peripheral control of muscle [e.g., electromyography], then MTE may
be appropriate.
- With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN]
IRG: There is shared interest
with the BDCN IRG with respect to rehabilitation as a result of brain or
spinal cord injury or disease. The BDCN IRG has particular expertise
in the neural basis of rehabilitation and recovery. As a
consequence, studies related to rehabilitation of individuals with
neural diseases that have an emphasis on the neural process may be
assigned to the BDCN IRG. If the application addresses neural
control and integration in central and peripheral nervous system
disorders, then assignment to BDCN may be appropriate. If the
application addresses device design or tissue engineering for the
replacement or repair of damaged, missing or poorly functioning muscle
or skeletal tissue, including devices that may replace or assist the
peripheral control of muscle [e.g., electromyography], then MTE may be
appropriate.
[Back to Top]
Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome/ Fibromyalgia Syndrome Special Emphasis Panel [CFS
SEP]
[CFS Roster]
The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Fibromyalgia Syndrome
[CFS SEP] continuing Special Emphasis Panel [SEP] reviews applications in
the multiple disciplines applied to studies of the causes, manifestations
and treatments of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the Fibromyalgia Syndrome
and other chronic polysystemic morbidity syndromes.
Specific
areas covered by CFS:
- Etiopathogenesis and diagnosis
- Ameliorative and therapeutic interventions
- Health Services
- Disciplines involved/evaluated, include aspects of
Allergology, Alternative Medicine, Behavioral Sciences, Chiropractic
Medicine, Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences, Epidemiology, Homeopathic
Medicine, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Medicinal
Chemistry, Microbiology, Neurology, Occupational Therapy, Osteopathic
Medicine, Pharmacology, Physical Therapy, Psychiatry, Psychology,
Psychopharmacology, Rheumatology, and
Virology
CFS has the
following shared interests outside the MOSS IRG:
-
Since the etiology of CFS, FMS and the related
conditions remains undefined, the applications reviewed by this group
range over the wide array of disciplines listed above, and individually
are frequently multidisciplinary. Since there is the potential for
overlap with many other study sections, the principal determining factor
for referral to this panel should be the major emphasis of the
application being on the study of one of the chronic polysystemic
morbidity syndromes identified in this group.
[Back to Top]
Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences Small
Business Activities [SBIR/STTR] Special Emphasis Panels
[MOSS Small Business SEPs]
[SBIR/STTR Scientific Review
Administrators]
The MOSS IRG evaluates Small
Business Innovation Research [SBIR] and Small Business Technology Transfer
[STTR] grant applications for areas of science noted above. There
are five regularly occurring panels, one each for the fields of
orthopedics and skeletal biology [MOSS (10)]; oral, dental and
craniofacial sciences [MOSS (11)]; therapeutic developments for
dermatological diseases [MOSS (12)]; biology of rheumatoid diseases and
novel therapeutic developments [MOSS (13)]; and skeletal muscle
and exercise physiology [MOSS (14)]. Small business activities in
rehabilitation medicine are covered in the Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Sciences [MRS] study section described above.
Specific
areas covered by the orthopedics and skeletal biology small business panel
[MOSS (10)]:
- Orthopedics, including: physiological, chemical,
biological and bioengineering aspects of orthopedic research,
bone fragility
(osteoporosis) and studies of joint mechanics or joint replacement,
orthopedic
biomaterials, cell biology of mineralized tissues, tissue-engineering
and implants, and prosthetic devices. Spinal and neuromuscular
prostheses for restoration of movement are also appropriate when the emphasis is
internal to the tissue/body are appropriate.
Specific
areas covered by the oral, dental and craniofacial sciences small
business panel [MOSS (11)]:
- Head and neck, oral cavity
and the clinical practice of dentistry including aspects of: anatomy,
biochemistry, biometry, chemistry, cell biology of oral soft tissues,
computer software development, diagnostic imaging, dental materials,
developmental biology, implantology, laser technology, oral, pathology,
oral surgery, teratogenesis, and sterilization of dental devices.
Specific
areas covered by the the therapeutic developments of dermatological
diseases, and the biology of rheumatoid diseases and
novel therapeutics panels [MOSS (12) and (13),
respectively]:
- Connective tissue, skin,
and inflammatory conditions of the joints including: products and devices used
in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders or injuries; the
validation of
imaging methods or device development related specifically to evaluation
of function or the assessment and treatment of diseases; gene or drug
delivery, when the purpose is treatment of inherited or acquired
disorders; wound healing and skin substitutes; photobiology and the
skin; alopecia; treatment of connective tissue and skin function in
diabetic complications.
Specific
areas covered by the skeletal muscle and exercise physiology small business panel [MOSS
(14)]:
-
Skeletal muscle diseases,
disorders and injuries, including: the development of products and
devices for diagnosis and treatment; application of material science and
biomedical engineering to replace or repair damaged missing or poorly
functioning skeletal muscle; use of exercise or inactivity in skeletal muscle
biology therapeutics.
The MOSS
Small Business SEPs have the following shared interests within the MOSS
IRG:
- With the Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences
[MRS] study section: SBIR/STTR studies on musculoskeletal rehabilitation
medicine and assistive technologies and devices may be assigned to MRS.
These include gait analysis and human motion, monitoring of body
external body movements and temperature, orthotics, prosthetic
development and devices for motor function, wheelchairs and mobility
aids, and exercise equipment. Small business activities on bone
fragility (osteoporosis) and studies of joint mechanics, or joint
replacement, when the emphasis is internal to the tissue/body may be
reviewed in the MOSS Small Business SEPs. Similarly, studies of
the repair of elements of the musculoskeletal system (using
biomaterials, mechanical/cellular approaches, tissue engineering
strategies), when the emphasis is internal to the tissue/body, or
studies dealing with exercise and inactivity that focus on skeletal
muscle growth and regeneration, contractile activity, or metabolism may
be assigned to the MOSS Small Business SEPs.
The MOSS
Small Business SEPs have the following shared interests outside the MOSS
IRG:
-
With the Biological
Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] and Cell Biology [CB]
IRGs: There is shared interest with the BCMB and CB IRGs
with respect to the extracellular matrix. If an application involves the
role of extracellular matrix in normal biological and disease processes,
then the CB IRG may be appropriate. If an application focuses on the
biochemical or structural properties of extracellular matrix, then
assignment to the BCMB IRG may be appropriate. If musculoskeletal, oral
and/or dermal tissue repair or replacement is the major concern the MOSS
Small Business SEPs may be appropriate.
-
With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA]
IRG: Applications studying the use of stem cell
technology for musculoskeletal, oral and/or skin science -specific
issues could be assigned to the MOSS Small Business SEPs. BDA may
be considered for more general developmental studies. Applications
that involve human embryonic stem cells might also be clustered in the
BDA IRG, even if studying musculoskeletal, oral and/or skin sciences
-specific issues.
-
With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies
[BST] IRG: (1) Applications to
develop fundamental bioengineering methods related to devices,
pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, gene therapy, and
computational/modeling approaches could be assigned to the BST IRG,
whereas those proposing development and validation of methods focusing
on musculoskeletal, oral and/or skin diseases, and their use in injury
and repair of these tissues may be assigned to the MOSS Small Business
SEPs. (2) Applications that focus on gene or drug delivery, when
the purpose is treatment of inherited or acquired musculoskeletal, oral
or skin disorders may be appropriate for the MOSS Small Business
SEPs. General development of novel gene and drug delivery
technologies may be assigned to the BST IRG.
-
With the Risk, Prevention, and Health Behavior
[RPHB] and the Health of the Population [HOP] IRGs: Studies of behavior modification, including
patient health education or training, directed toward the prevention and
treatment of musculoskeletal, oral or skin diseases, including
psychological aspects, could be assigned to the RPHB IRG, or to the HOP
IRG, depending on the level of analysis and the nature of the
intervention. Applications on the diseases, disorders, or
functional consequences of behaviors related to the musculoskeletal,
oral or skin sciences could be assigned to the MOSS Small Business
SEPs. Health education or training directed to the health care
provider, not the patient, may also be assigned to the MOSS Small
Business SEPs.
-
With the Immunology [IMM]
IRG: The IMM IRG may be assigned applications concerning
the etiology and pathogenesis of organ-specific and systemic autoimmune
diseases. This includes the development of immunoassays,
monoclonal antibodies, immunosuppressive agents, and vaccines.
Applications on the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory and
degenerative diseases of oral soft and hard tissues, bone, joints and
connective tissues, particularly where pathogenic effector mechanisms
and specific factors or structures relevant to target organ damage and
repair are critical, may be assigned to the MOSS Small Business
SEPs. Areas of unavoidable shared interest such as systemic lupus
erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis would be resolved according to
the central focus of the application.
-
With the Infectious
Diseases and Microbiology [IDM] IRG: The IDM IRG and MOSS Small Business SEPs
have a shared interest in oral microbiology applications. The IDM IRG
may be assigned applications where the focus is on the bacteria per se
rather than the oral hard and soft tissues. The IDM IRG reviews SBIR/STTR
applications that focus on the development and testing of diagnostic
methods and devices, and therapeutic agents that target microbial,
fungal, parasitic, viral, or biofilm-related diseases.
When
the emphasis is on the response of tissues of the oral cavity,
assignment could be to the MOSS Small Business SEP. Applications that
focus on the development or evaluation of approaches to sterilization or
disinfecting may be assigned to the IDM IRG, however, applications on
sterilization of dental devices may be assigned to the MOSS Small
Business SEPs.
-
With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]
IRG: There is shared interest with the CVS IRG with
respect to vascular assembly and repair. If the intent of the
application is the development, pathology and gene therapy of the
vascular system, then assignment to CVS may be appropriate. If the focus
is vascular assembly for bone and connective tissue engineering, then
the MOSS Small Business SEPs may be appropriate.
-
With the Surgical Sciences,
Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: (1) Applications to develop fundamental imaging
methods or early stages of development of sensors may be assigned to the
SBIB IRG, whereas those proposing development and validation of methods
focusing on evaluation of musculoskeletal, oral and/or skin function
could be assigned to the MOSS Small Business SEPs. (2)
Applications having a bioengineering or device development focus could
be referred to SBIB, or to the MOSS Small Business SEPs, depending on
the focus of the proposal. If the device relates to multiple
organs, the application would be referred to SBIB. Proposals on
bioengineering related specifically to devices for the assessment and
treatment of musculoskeletal, oral and/or skin diseases are appropriate
for the MOSS Small Business SEPs.
-
With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive
Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG: There is shared interest
with the IFCN IRG with respect to motor systems and sensorimotor
integration. If the application addresses neural control of normal
biological motor function and disease pathology, then the IFCN IRG may
be appropriate. If the application addresses rehabilitation,
electromyography, neural prostheses or restoration of body movement,
then the MOSS Small Business SEPs may be appropriate.
-
With the Brain Disorders and Cognitive Neuroscience
[BDCN] IRG: There is shared interest
with the BDCN IRG with respect to rehabilitation as a result of brain or
spinal cord injury. If the application addresses neural control in
central and peripheral nervous system disorders, then assignment to BDCN
may be appropriate. If the application addresses rehabilitation,
electromyography, neural prostheses or restoration of body movement,
then the MOSS Small Business SEPs may be appropriate.
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