Referral & Review

The Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM] IRG reviews applications in the following areas: Mechanisms of pathogenesis of viruses, rickettsia, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other parasites of humans; basic molecular biology, physiology, and Genetics of these pathogenic organisms; basic molecular biology, physiology, and Genetics of non-pathogenic bacteria, archae, yeasts, and viruses with non- human hosts.

The following study sections are included within the IDM IRG:

Bacteriology and Mycology 1 Study Section [BM-1]
Bacteriology and Mycology 2 Study Section [BM-2]
Experimental Virology Study Section [EVR]
Microbial Physiology and Genetics 1 Study Section [MBC-1]
Microbial Physiology and Genetics 2 Study Section [MBC-2]
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section [TMP]
Virology Study Section [VR]
IDM Small Business Activities

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Bacteriology and Mycology 1 Study Section [BM-1]

[BM-1 Roster]

The Bacteriology and Mycology-1 [BM-1] Study Section reviews applications in the broad area of bacterial disease, including the basic biology of bacterial disease agents, etiology, molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, host- parasite relations, taxonomy, virulence factors, phagocytosis, host-parasite relationships, antibiotic usage, and general immune phenomena.

Specific areas covered by BM-1:

·         Host-parasite Relationships; various biologic effects that are produced by the bacterial agent on the host when infection and disease occur; virulence of the bacterial agent and the susceptibility of the host; humoral and cellular immune responses of the host to bacterial infection and disease; control of infection by antibiotics, and prevention or treatment

·         Mechanisms by which bacterial infection and disease are produced in man and animals; pathogenic properties of microorganisms; variation and enhancement of virulence; genetic control of virulence factors; influence of the host environment on virulence and enhancement of virulence; factor production and transmission; development of antibiotic resistance

·         Study of the cause of bacterial diseases; communicability and control of bacterial infections; biological and physiological characteristics of bacterial agents; growth requirements of bacteria; phyloGenetics in relation to virulence and pathogenicity

·         Investigatory, early stage development of methodologies for diagnosis of etiological agents and for elucidation of potential vaccine candidates

·         The study of bacterial and fungal agents responsible for food contamination and poisoning are appropriate subjects

·         Basic biology of disease agents; structure and function studies

BM-1 has the following shared interests within the IDM IRG:

·         Legionnaires' disease, mycoplasmal disease, and studies on fungal agents and diseases are reviewed by BM-2. Studies of food Bacteriology and environmental conditions in relation to bacterial disease agent are usually reviewed by BM-2.

·         BM-1 is appropriate when the degree of epidemiology of infectious disease, antibiotic testing, serological surveillance and vaccine trials is a small aspect of the project or the subject population is limited. If carried out on a field trial scale, EDC-2 is more appropriate.

·         MBC-1 is more appropriate if the study of bacterial agent is primarily a biochemical one.

·         MBC-2 is more appropriate where Genetics is the main thrust of the work and there is no relation to bacterial virulence.

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Bacteriology and Mycology 2 Study Section [BM-2]

[BM-2 Roster]

The Bacteriology and Mycology-2 [BM-2] Study Section reviews applications in the broad area of bacterial and fungal disease, including etiology, pathogenesis, host-parasite relations, taxonomy, virulence, phagocytosis, antibiotic usage, and general immune phenomena. It includes basic biology of bacterial and fungal disease agents; host -parasite relationships; pathogenesis; etiology; diagnostic procedures and basic research leading to vaccines. Diseases/infections/conditions caused by the following are reviewed in BM-2: all fungal agents, mycoplasmas, Legionella, Neisseria, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus. Applications reviewed by BM-2 frequently involve the identification of virulence factors, the isolation and cloning of the virulence factors, the study of the control of the expression of the virulence factors, the physiological interaction of the virulence factor with the host, and perhaps a structure/function description of the factor.

Specific areas covered by BM-2:

·         Host-parasite Relationships; various biologic effects that are produced by the bacterial or fungal agent on the host when infection and disease occur; virulence of the agent and the susceptibility of the host; humoral and cellular immune responses of the host to bacterial and fungal infection and disease; control of infection by antibiotics, and prevention or treatment

·         Mechanisms by which bacterial and fungal infection and disease are produced in man and animals; pathogenic properties of microorganisms; variation and enhancement of virulence; genetic control of virulence factors; influence of the host environment on virulence and enhancement of virulence; factor production and transmission; development of antibiotic resistance

·         Study of the cause of bacterial and fungal diseases; communicability and control of bacterial infections; biological and physiological characteristics of bacterial and fungal agents; growth requirements of fungi and bacteria; phyloGenetics in relation to virulence and pathogenicity

·         Investigational, early stage development of methodologies for diagnosis of etiological agents and for elucidation of potential vaccine candidates

·         The study of bacterial and fungal agents responsible for food contamination and poisoning are appropriate subjects

·         Basic biology of disease agents; structure and function studies

BM-2 has the following shared interests within the IDM IRG:

·         With BM-1 with respect to bacterial diseases, except for the disease cited above. Studies of diseases caused by Chlamydia, as well as syphilis and leprosy, are better reviewed by BM-1. Studies of Legionnarires' disease, mycoplasmal disease, and Mycology are reviewed by BM-2.

·         MBC-1 is more appropriate if the study of bacterial agent is primarily biochemical.

·         MBC-2 is more appropriate where Genetics is the main thrust of the work and there is no relation in bacterial virulence.

BM-2 has the following shared interests outside the IDM IRG:

·         BM-2 is appropriate when the epidemiological aspects and/or the subject population are limited. If carried out on a field trial scale, EDC- 2 is more appropriate.

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Experimental Virology Study Section [EVR]

[EVR Roster]

The Experimental Virology [EVR] Study Section addresses virtually all areas of Virology. This includes basic molecular Virology; viral biochemistry and biophysics; Genetics; etiology, immunology and serology, pathogenesis, and cytopathology of viruses; tumor-viruses; chemo- and immunotherapy; viral structure and morphology, including electron microscopy; host-virus interactions; laboratory and clinical diagnosis; viral immunity; pre-vaccine studies; and antivirals.

Specific areas covered by EVR:

·         Viral disease of man, lower animals and plants; natural history; epidemiology; prevention; therapy; diagnosis; host responses [symptomatology, pathology, immune mechanisms]; virulence and attenuation; host susceptibility; environmental factors; transmission; vectors; latency; interference; enhancement; effects on the central nervous system; teratogenic action; tumorigenesis; genetic determinants [host and parasite]; model systems

·         Viruses and cancer; methods of detection of tumor viruses; model tumor virus systems in lower animals; studies of the viral etiology of human tumors, cell transformation in vitro; the fundamentals of tumorigenesis induced by a virus, e.g. the effects on metabolism of proteins and nucleic acids, cytogenetic action, immune response, and the state of the virus

·         Cellular and molecular biology of viral replication [animal and plant]; role of the host cell; synthesis of viral proteins, nucleic acids, and other polymers; genetic effects; alterations of viral nucleic acid; RNA vs. DNA replication; cytopathogenic expression; attachment to and penetration of cell membrane; viral enzymes; chromosomal alteration

·         Biochemistry of viral infections; effects on host metabolism [cellular or organismal]; hormonal effects; radiation response, inhibition and stimulation; nutrition of cell cultures for virus propagation

·         Biochemical/biophyscal properties of viruses; ultrastructure; geometrical configuration of the virion; purification of viruses; chemical composition; locus within cell [isotope labeling, immunoflorescence methods]; characteristics of the DNA or RNA

·         Classification and taxonomy of viruses

EVR has the following shared interests within the IDM IRG:

·         Applications concerned with bedsonia and chlamdial agents generally should be directed to BM-1.

·         Where the virus has a prokaryotic, lower eukaryotic, or plant host and the study emphasizes the structure, replication, or chemistry of the virus, or when the virus is being used as a tool to study similar phenomena in the above hosts, the assignment should be to MBC-1 or MBC-2.

EVR has the following shared interests outside the IDM IRG:

·         Assignment should be to one of the study sections of the IMM IRG if a virus is employed primarily to evoke an immune response to be studied.

·         Studies focused exclusively on eukaryotic DNA replication should be assigned to the CDF IRG.

·         Studies that are primarily concerned with the epidemiology of viral diseases are appropriately assigned to EDC-2.

·         Research that emphasizes the Genetics of an animal virus should be assigned to EVR or VR. Applications in which a virus is used as a manipulative tool to study the Genetics of a cell should be assigned, as appropriate, to MGN or GEN.

·         Applications in which the main thrust is an investigation of the pathology of tumors that were induced by a virus should be to PTHB.

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Microbial Physiology and Genetics 1 Study Section [MBC-1]

[MBC-1 Roster]

The Microbial Physiology and Genetics-1 [MBC-1] Study Section reviews applications dealing with the metabolism, structure, and morphogenesis of microorganisms except protozoa.

Specific areas covered by MBC-1:

·         Cell surface phenomena including transport, phage attachment and penetration; growth, metabolism, morphogenesis, and regulation [biochemical and genetic] of these processes. This includes the regulation of shape, replication and division, assembly processes, modes of microbial metabolism [aerobic, anaerobic, autotrophic, heterotrophic], carbohyrate and nitrogen metabolism, motility, regulation of enzyme activity [such as activation or inhibition] and gene activity [such as induction or repression]

·         Isolation, purification, and characterization of cellular or viral structures including walls, flagella, pili, membranes, or their components. Structural, catalytic, genetic, or small molecule components involved in morphogenesis, metabolism, or transport. This includes enzymes, multi- enzyme complexes, genes, and operons when related to morphogenesis, transport, metabolism, or other topics listed above.

·         Prokaryotes [bacteria, archae and cyanobacteria], lower eukaryotes [yeasts and fungi such as Neurospora, Penicillium, etc.] and the viruses that infect these organisms. Protozoa and plant viruses are excluded.

·         Methodologies, such as biochemistry, biophysics, Genetics, and recombinant DNA technology as applied to the topics listed for MBC-1.

MBC-1 has the following shared interests within the IDM IRG:

·         Assignment to BM-1 or BM-2 is appropriate if the emphasis is on pathogenic aspects of microbial structure or function and the genetic or biochemical approaches are straightforward or standard.

·         MBC-1 has shared interests with EVR in the cellular and molecular biology of viral replication, biochemistry of viral infection, biochemical – biophysical properties of viruses, and classification and taxonomy viruses. The distinction is generally based on the host organism.

·         When genetic methodology is used to study physiological processes such as transport metabolism or morphogenesis, MBC-1 is appropriate. For genetic studies of DNA synthesis or overall protein or RNA synthesis, MBC-2 is appropriate.

·         MBC-1 shares research interests with VR. The distinctions generally are based on the host as defined in the General Statement Plant Virology studies are appropriate for VR.

MBC-1 has the following shared interests outside the IDM IRG:

·         MBC-1 is not appropriate for applications concerning protozoa, multicellular organisms with protozoa-like or ameboid stages of the life cycle, or higher eukaryotic organisms [multicellular, non–microscopic tissue-forming organisms, or their tissues or cells].

·         Studies of the physical chemistry of macromolecules of microbial origin are more appropriate for BBCA/BBCB. The use of biophysical methodology [eg. NMR, CD, ESR] as a means to study topics in Microbial Physiology is appropriate for MBC –1 unless the emphasis is on the methodological or physical chemistry aspects of the project. For example, use of NMR to study microbial metabolism or structure is appropriate to MBC-1 provided the objective is not to increase, or test, the sensitivity of the method or to conduct detailed biophysical characterization of the metabolite, macromolecule, or structure.

·         In general, applications proposing to study higher eukaryotic, tissue- forming, non-microscopic organisms are appropriate for BIO.

·         Studies of components [such as enzymes] or products of microbial origin may be appropriate to BIO when the emphasis is on the molecule rather than its function or role in Microbial Physiology. For example, a strictly enzymological study of an enzyme common to bacteria and mammalian cells but, in a particular case, produced by bacteria for yield or purification purposes is appropriate for BIO. Enzymological studies of enzymes unique to microbial metabolism are appropriate for MBC –1.

·         MBC-1 has shared interests in many areas including biochemistry, function, genesis, growth, developmental regulation and senescence of cells, membrane and cell culture, cell growth factors, cell-cell interactions, etc. The distinction is generally based on the organisms; studies of prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic microorganisms are appropriate to MBC-1 whole those focused on higher eukaryotic, multicellular, tissue forming organisms or their cells more appropriate to the CDF IRG.

·         MBC-1 has shared interests with GEN regarding genetic control in lower eukaryotic organisms [yeast and higher microsopic fungi]. GEN is appropriate when the objective is the elucidation of the genetic structure or mechanism of gene expression. MBC-1 is appropriate when the research is focused on the regulation of metabolism [carbohydrate, nitrogen, etc.]. As to morphogenesis, the genetic control of yeast sporulation as related to meiosis is appropriate to GEN, as is the genetic control of yeast cell division.

·         MBC-1 has shared interests with MET in the areas of the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins and related nitrogenous compounds, and lipids and related compounds. The distinction is between organisms as stated in the Overlap-General Statement.

·         Studies in transport, electron transport, and membranes of higher eukaryotic organisms or their tissues or cells are appropriate for PB, especially when biophysical methodology is emphasized. Studies of enzyme mechanisms that emphasize biophysical techniques [NMR, CD, ESR] also are appropriate to PB, although assignment to MBC-1 is appropriate for proposals involving Genetics [mutants] or when the objective is to study a uniquely microbial metabolism.

·         MBC-1 has shared interests with the BCS IRG in enzymology, protein chemistry, biochemistry, and membrane chemistry. The distinction is generally by organism.

·         MBC-1 also has shared interests with the TOX study sections regarding the metabolic activity and chemistry of toxic agents, including carcinogenic poisons, and the occurrence and effects of pollutants. Studies involving the use of microbial systems to test the effects of or screen for the presence of environmental toxic substances [including pollutants and carcinogens] are appropriate for TOX. Studies of the effects of toxic substances or microbial metabolism in studies of microbial metabolism are appropriate for MBC –1.

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Microbial Physiology and Genetics 2 Study Section [MBC-2]

[MBC-2 Roster]

The Microbial Physiology and Genetics-2 [MBC-2] Study Section reviews applications concerned with the Genetics and molecular biology of bacteria, cyanobacteria, archae, and, some research in yeasts. Also included are the Genetics of viruses that infect these organisms. MBC-2's interest is on the enzymes and processes of replication, transfer, and expression of the microbial genome as well as mutation, recombination, repair, and functional genomics.

Specific areas covered by MBC-2:

·         Microbial DNA replication, recombination, and transfer; chromosome replication of bacteria and yeasts; enzymology of DNA replication [polymerases, topoisomerases, helicases etc.]; mechanism and enzymology of transposition and DNA rearrangements

·         DNA mutagenesis and repair; effects of mutagens on DNA, as well as naturally occurring mutation events and their repair

·         Plasmid DNA replication, transfer, incompatibility, and immunity

·         Mechanism of bacteriophage DNA or RNA replication, lysogeny, transduction, and bacteriophage assembly

·         Transformation, transposition and conjugation in DNA transfer between bacteria; the role of pili and of gene expression and host functions in transformation, transposition, and conjugation

·         Microbial genomes; analysis of whole genome structure and gene function; global patterns of gene expression

·         Transcription and translation of microbial DNA; RNA polymerase; messenger RNA [mRNA] synthesis; control of gene expression; recognition sequences; transcription initiation, termination and anti- termination; gene or chromosome mapping in bacteria and lower eukaryotes; post-transcriptional control, including regulation of protein synthesis and mRNA processing and turnover [e.g., cleavages]

·         Ribosomal [rRNA] synthesis, transfer RNA [tRNA] Synthesis and RNA processing; mechanism of polypeptide chain formation and protein synthesis.

MBC-2 has the following shared interests within the IDM IRG:

·         BM-1 or BM-2 may be appropriate if the emphasis is on the pathogenic aspects of the microbe's action and the genetic approaches are straightforward and standard.

MBC-2 has the following shared interests outside the IDM IRG:

·         Studies of the physical chemistry of macromolecules of microbial origin are more appropriate for BBCA or BBCB.

·         Studies of the properties of enzymes of microbial origin should be assigned to BIO.

·         GEN generally reviews applications using eukaryotic organisms, and MBC–2 reviews applications using prokaryotes. If the pathway or process being studied in yeast or other lower eukaryotic fungi closely parallels that found in prokaryotes, MBC –2 is appropriate.

·         If the emphasis is on the study of the gene products and how they contribute to the cell's function, MBC-1 is appropriate, even though some genetic manipulation may be involved. Studies of bacteriophage physiology are appropriate for MBC –1.

·         Studies involving the genetic or enzymatic mechanisms of repair of radiation damage of bacterial DNA can be reviewed by MBC–2. Determination should be made on the basis of whether the study is focused on the radiation effects [RAD] or the bacterial response [MBC–2].

·         Plant Virology studies are appropriate for VR.

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Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section [TMP]

[TMP Roster]

The Tropical Medicine and Parasitology [TMP] Study Section is primarily interested in Experimental, survey, and clinical projects designed to study and control the myriad of parasites, pests, and vectors that carry or cause disease in humans and other animals. Also of interest in relation to these agents are epidemiological factors involved in the spread and control of disease.

Specific areas covered by TMP:

·         Diagnosis, improved means of identification [morphological, cultural, biochemical, serological, as well as electron and scanning microscopy]; prophylaxis and chemotherapy; basic research leading to vaccine development; epidemiology, whether laboratory or field, Experimental or clinical; etiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and therapy

·         Human parasitic infections, e.g., amoebiasis, ascariasis, coccidiosis, arbovirus infections [encephalitis]. Chagas disease, cysticercosis, dengue, filariasis, hemorrhagic fever, Kala-azar, malarias, onchercerciasis, larva migrans, leishmaniasis, plague, relapsing fevers, rickettsial diseases, schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, peneumocystis carinii, trypansomoniasis, thyphus, yellow fever, lyme disese and others

·         Biochemistry, metabolism, and metabolic pathways; mechanisms of vector control by bacterial toxins [Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis and fungi]; membrane transport

·         Genetics; control of vectors; chemical basis of gene regulation; recombinant DNA/RNA research; genetic control of metabolic systems

·         Host-parasite relationships at the population, organism, cellular, and molecular levels; physical, biological, and immunological methodology used for studying the diseased hosts and disease agents; biological effects [virulence, susceptibility, and immune responses]; the use of parasites and related invertebrates in culture or host as assay methods

·         ImmunoParasitology; immunodiagnosis; immunopathology; immunoreglation; hypersensitivity; humoral, cellular, and cell-mediated responses

·         Vectors [mollusks/arthropods]; biology, ecology, biological regulation, and biocontrol [fungi, microsporodia, viruses]; endocrine, genetic, competitions, and behavioral studies

·         Endocrinology of invertebrates, e.g. juvenile hormone, ecdysone, pheromones, neurosecretions, etc.

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Virology Study Section [VR]

[VR Roster]

The Virology [VR] Study Section reviews virtually all facets, basic and applied, of Virology. Thus, the range of interest and competence is broad, including biophyscs, and Genetics, etiology, immunology and serology, pathogenesis and cythopathology, tumor-viruses, immunotherapy, ultrastructure [electron microscopy], epizootiology, pre-vaccine studies and laboratory and clinical diagnosis.

Specific areas covered by VR:

·         Viral disease of Man, lower animals and plants; natural history; epidemiology; prevention therapy; diagnosis; host responses [symptomatology, pathology, immune mechanisms]; virulence and attenuation; host susceptibility; environmental factors; transmission; vectors latency; interference; enhancement; effects on the central nervous system; teratogenic action; tumorigenesis; genetic determinants [host and parasite]; model systems

·         Virus systems in lower animals; studies of the viral etiology of human tumors; cell transformation in vitro; the fundamentals of tumorigenesis induced by a virus, e. g., effects on metabolism of proteins and nucleic acids; cytogenetic action, immune response; state of the virus

·         Cellular and molecular biology of viral replication [animal and plant]. Role of the host cell, synthesis of viral proteins, nucleic acids and other polymers; genetic effects; alterations of viral nucleic acid; RNA versus DNA replication; cytopathogenic expression; attachment to and penetraton of cell membrane; viral enzymes; chromosomal alteration

·         Biochemistry of viral infections; effects on host metabolism [cellular or organismal]; hormonal effects; radiation response; inhibition and stimulation; nutrition of cell cultures for virus propagation

·         Biochemical–biophysical properties of viruses; ultrastructure; geometrical configuration of the virion; purification of viruses; chemical composition; locus within cell [isotope labeling, immunofluorescence methods]; characteristics of the DNA or RNA

·         Classification and taxonomy of viruses

VR has the following shared interests within the IDM IRG:

·         Studies focusing exclusively on proto-oncogenes are not appropriate for VR.

·         Applications concerned with bedsonia and chlamydal agents should be assigned on an individual basis; however, in general they should be directed towards BM-1.

·         The assignment should be to MBC-1 or MBC-2 when the virus has a prokaryotic or lower eukaryotic host and the study emphasizes the structure, replication, or chemistry of the virus, or when the virus is being used as a tool to study similar phenomena in the above hosts

VR has the following shared interests outside the IDM IRG:

·         Where a virus or microorganism is employed primarily to evoke an immune response that will be the focus of the research, the assignment should be to one of the study sections of the IMM IRG.

·         Studies focusing exclusively on eukaryotic DNA replication should be assigned to the CDF IRG.

·         Studies that are primarily concerned with the epidemiology of viral diseases are appropriately assigned to EDC –2.

·         Genetic studies in which the emphasis is on the Genetics of an animal virus itself should be assigned to a Virology study section. Applications in which a virus is used as a manipulative tool to study the Genetics of a cell should be assigned as appropriate to MGN OR GEN.

·         Where the main thrust of the application is an investigation of the pathology of virally induced tumors, the assignment should be to PTHB.

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Small Business Activities [SBIR/STTR] of the IDM IRG

SBIR/STTR Scientific Review Administrators

The IDM IRG reviews SBIR/STTR applications that focus on the development and biological / clinical testing of therapeutic agents that target microbial, fungal, parasitic, viral, or biofilm-related diseases. Applications that involve the identification of new drug targets and the development of microbicides, but not the synthesis or chemical analysis of drugs, will also be considered. The IDM IRG also reviews applications proposing the development and testing of diagnostic methods and devices to detect and identify infectious agents. In addition, proposals dealing with the application of biosensors in the diagnosis of Infectious Diseases will be considered, but only if they do not focus on the design and implementation of instrumentation. Applications involving sterilization techniques and/or the testing of disinfectants will be considered if the major emphasis of the proposal is toward microbiology, not instrumentation. Applications that employ computational methods for functional analysis of genomes will be considered only if the proposed work has direct relevance to Infectious Diseases.