Development-2 Study Section [DEV-2]

[DEV-2 Roster]

This study section reviews applications covering a wide range of topics in developmental biology using diverse animal and plant models. Cellular, biochemical, genetic and molecular approaches to developmental problems at the level of cells, tissues, organs and the whole organism are appropriate. Emphasis is on pattern formation, stem cells, evolution, primordial birth defects, and early embryonic development.

Specific areas covered by DEV-2:

·         Pattern formation: Includes the process of cells establishing and refining boundaries that lead to morphological and biochemical patterns.

·         Signaling in development: Includes intercellular signals and activation of receptor-mediated signaling pathways leading to changes in developmental potential or fate or differentiation.

·         Regulatory networks: Include whole genome approaches to profile and analyze regulatory networks in development, particularly in the context of pattern formation, primordial birth defects, and early embryonic development.

·         Induction: Includes cell-cell interactions leading to one or both cell types adopting a new cell fate.

·         Cell polarity: Includes the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in eggs and embryos including localization of determinants, localization of signaling molecules, and localization and functions of structural proteins that participate in this process.

·         Cell lineage: Includes the spatial and temporal monitoring of a cell and its progeny cells during all of development.

·         Apoptosis: Focuses on how this process participates in developmental processes rather than general apoptotic mechanisms.

·         Evolution of development: Includes comparative development to understand conserved developmental processes and how they evolved.

·         Gastrulation: Includes all aspects of how germ layers of an embryo are formed in terms of cell biology, cell movements, and signaling processes.

·         Morphogenesis: Includes cell and tissue movements leading to the development of form.

·         Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: Includes cell fate changes in embryos and in organ formation between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues.

·         Cell migration: Includes the dynamic cell mixing and behavior inherent in all aspects of development, including gastrulation and nervous system development.

·         Birth defects: Includes mechanism-based analyses of primordial birth defects.

·         Stem cells: Includes stem cell biology with regard to totipotency and cell commitment.

DEV-2 has the following shared interests within the BDA IRG:

·         The DEV-2 study section overlaps substantially with DEV-1 with the exception that pattern formation, early development, and birth defect syndromes are emphasized in DEV-2. Applications focusing on stem cell biology with regard to totipotency and cell commitment could be assigned to DEV-2. Applications on stem cells that would be appropriate for CMAD would include studies of stem cells in relation to aging and tissue repair. The DEV-2 study section overlaps with CMAD in the areas of apoptosis and signaling.

DEV-2 has the following shared interests outside the BDA IRG:

·         With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] and the Cell Biology [CB] IRGs: Cell biological and genetic studies may be assigned to DEV-2 when those studies emphasize a developmental question. If the focus is cell biological or genetic, then assignment to GGG and CB may be appropriate.

·         With the Immunology [IMM]; Oncological Sciences [ONC]; and Hematology [HEME] IRGs: IMM, ONC, and HEME have developmental components. When the focus of an immunology, oncology, or hematology application is late development, assignment could be to IRGs IMM, ONC, or HEME. When the focus is basic, early development, assignment could be to DEV-1 or -2. Areas of shared interest may include stem cells, apoptosis, and cell cycle control.

·         With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG:  Shared interest exists between EMNR and BDA in the areas of meiosis and animal cloning as well as in gonadal and endocrine organogenesis. In general, applications on meiosis and animal cloning that focus on reproductive competency or success would be assigned to the EMNR IRG. Similarly, applications that focus on development (such as cell cycle control, apoptosis, cell fate, or early pattern formation) would be assigned to DEV-1 or -2. In general, 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 BDA. Developmental studies focused on development of a specific organ should be reviewed in the context of that organ system (EMNR in the case of endocrine glands and reproductive organs). The overall philosophy is that assignment should be made based on the central focus of the application.

·         With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]; Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS]; Digestive Sciences [DIG]; Respiratory Sciences [RES]; and Renal and Urological Sciences [RUS] IRGs:  DEV-1 and -2 include basic, early developmental mechanisms involved in formation of organ primordia, such as muscle, skeleton, skin, liver, lung, and kidney. Studies involving maturation of organ physiology or the physiology and function of developed organs could be assigned to other IRGs such as CVS, MOSS, DIG, RES and RUS. Overlapping interests may include stem cells, apoptosis, and regulation of cell cycle.

·         With the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] IRG: DEV-2 includes basic developmental mechanisms involved in formation of organ primordia such as brain and spinal cord. Applications focused on developmental neuroscience may be assigned to MCDN.