[MSFA Roster] [MSFB Roster] [MSFC Roster] [MSFD Roster] [MSFE Roster]

The Macromolecular Structure and Function [MSF] Study Sections review applications that focus on the biochemistry and biophysics of sequence-structure-function relationships in proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, their complexes, and interactions with small molecules. Experimental approaches include physical and chemical methods to study interactions between molecules. A broad range of theoretical and computational approaches as well as kinetic, mechanistic, and thermodynamic characterizations of biomolecules and their functions are included. The emphasis is on the application of these and other biochemical and biophysical methods to problems of biological relevance.

A large number of applications fall naturally into the Macromolecular Structure and Function study sections. Metallobiochemical applications, in a broad sense, including such topics as metals in biology, chemical reactions and mechanisms, imaging agents, and molecular design, may be clustered in MSFA. In addition, glycobiology applications may be clustered in MSFB, and protein-protein and macromolecular assembly interactions may be clustered in MSFC. Crystallographic studies should be at home in any of the three study sections.

Specific areas covered by MSFA, MSFB, MSFC, MSFD &MSFE:

• Macromolecular structure-function relationships and related structural biology
• Protein, nucleic acid, and carbohydrate structures
• Enzymology, including inhibitors and metabolism
• Protein-ligand interactions, including receptors and signal transduction
• Macromolecular interactions and regulatory mechanisms
• Computational, theoretical, and experimental studies

Additional areas for MSFA may include:

• Metalloenzymes, inhibitors, and their mechanisms
• Metalloproteins and related inorganic reactions
• Biophysics of enzymes, metals, and cofactors
• Chemistry of reactive oxygen metabolism
• Synthetic and theoretical models of metallo-active sites
• Application of quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics to metals in macromolecules
• Metal ion homeostasis and metabolism

Additional areas for MSFB may include:

• Protein structure, dynamics, and function
• Structure determination and application of biophysical theory for protein folding
• Mechanisms of protein and nucleic acid folding and misfolding
• Post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications, including glycobiology
• Protein and nucleic acid design
• Structure prediction and conformational dynamics

Additional areas for MSFC may include:

• Macromolecular assemblies
• Mechanisms of allostery
• Protein-nucleic acid interactions
• Structural biology of signal transduction including specificity issues related to in vivo conditions
• Energy-dependent conformational changes including molecular motors, ATPases, and macromolecular machines
• Protein-ligand, protein-protein interactions, and protein interaction networks
• Biophysical studies of muscle structure and function
• Single molecule investigations

Additional areas for MSFD may include:

• Computational analysis, annotation, and scientific visualization pertaining to macromolecular biophysics
• Sequence-structure-function relationships and prediction of macromolecular function
• Molecular modeling of three-dimensional structures, interactions, and ligand-macromolecule interactions
• Biophysical theory of macromolecular structure and function, and prediction of macromolecular interactions at different resolutions
• Development of new biophysical theories and complementary computational and experimental approaches
• Biophysical simulations and experimental validations

Additional areas for MSFE may include:

• Mechanistic enzymology involving protein and nucleic acid catalysts
• Protein-ligand interactions and dynamics
• Inhibitors of enzymes and their mechanisms
• Drug chemistry and metabolizing enzymes
• Macromolecular studies of metabolic pathways and networks
• Computational and mechanism-based drug design
• Application of quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics to studies of enzyme mechanisms

 The MSF Study Sections have the following shared interests within the BCMB IRG:

• With Synthetic and Biological Chemistry [SBCA & SBCB]:  The SBCA and SBCB study sections have shared interests in structure- and mechanism-based drug design with the MSFA and MSFE study sections.  Applications that focus on synthetic or medicinal chemistry may be assigned to SBCA or SBCB.  Applications that focus on biochemical, structural, mechanistic or computational approaches may be assigned to MSFA or MSFE.
  
  
• With Biochemistry and Biophysics of Membranes [BBM]:  Studies of membrane-bound enzymes may be considered by MSFA if the primary emphasis is on chemical mechanisms, otherwise they may be considered by BBM. Investigations of soluble domains of membrane-bound proteins (including receptors) may be reviewed by MSFC if the primary emphasis is on their extra-membrane function. Lipid simulations and theoretical studies of membrane proteins may be assigned to MSFD. Glycobiology applications may also be assigned to either BBM or MSFB.
  

The MSF Study Sections have the following shared interests outside the BCMB IRG:

• With the Genes, Genomes, and Genetics [GGG] IRG:  The MSF Study Sections share interests with the GGG IRG in the area of structural and mechanistic investigations of gene function. If the focus is on structural and mechanistic investigations of gene function that are making use of emerging biophysical methodologies, then appropriate assignment may be to one of the MSF study sections. If focus is on genetic aspects of gene function, then assignment may be to GGG. 
  
• With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG:  The MSF Study Sections share interests with the CB IRG in the area of cell function. Applications that focus on biophysical questions may be appropriate for one of the MSF study sections. Applications that focus on cell biological questions may be appropriate for one of the CB study sections, e.g., Cell Structure Function.
  
• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: The MSF Study Sections share interests with the BST IRG in computational methods. Applications in computational science that directly relate to scientific problems in chemistry, biological chemistry, and biophysics may be appropriate for the MSF study sections. Applications where the focus is more on the information sciences, database development, or software engineering may be appropriate for BST.
  
  
• With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA]; Immunology [IMM]; Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM]; AIDS and Related Research [AARR]; Oncological Sciences [ONC]; Hematology [HEME]; Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]; Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR]; Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS], Digestive Sciences [DIG], Respiratory Sciences [RES], Renal and Urological Sciences [RUS], and the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] IRGs: Applications with an organ or disease focus may be of interest to the MSF Study Sections, particularly in the areas of structure determination, drug design, and medicinal chemistry. For applications with focus on questions of the specific organ or disease, including preclinical and clinical studies, assignment to the organ or disease IRGs may be appropriate. For applications with focus on basic questions of structure determination or early drug discovery (hit to lead and lead optimization), assignment to one of the MSF Study Sections may be appropriate.