[MI Roster]

The Microscopic Imaging [MI] study section reviews applications (R01, R21, SBIR/STTR, etc.) that aim to develop, improve and implement quantitative techniques for the static and dynamic visualization of molecules, macromolecular machines and complexes, organelles, cells, and model systems in physiologically active states. Large animal and human studies will not be considered in MI. Examples of methodologies relevant to MI include crystallography, TEM (transmission electron microscopy), electron cryomicroscopy, SEM (scanning electron microscopy), ESEM (environmental scanning electron microscopy), AFM (atomic force microscopy), SFM (scanning force microscopy), fluorescence microscopy and laser spectroscopy including microarray/chip analysis, confocal and scanning light microscopy,vibrational spectroscopic microscopy, multi-photon microscopy, x-ray microscopy, acoustic microscopy, NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and microscopic applications of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Imaging principles or instruments may be developed, and proposals need not be hypothesis-driven.

  Specific areas covered by MI include:

• Development and Improvement of Instrumentation for Microscopy:  major microscopic devices and accessories such as specimen holders and environmental chambers for molecules, assemblies or living cells; high resolution and large pixel detectors, high-resolution film scanners, specimen preparative apparatus, computer automation of data collection and remote access.
  
  
• Improvement of Specimen Preparation Methodology: Crystallization of membrane proteins and large assemblies, chemical and cryo specimen preservations, non-invasive preparative methods, chemical agents for contrast enhancement, molecular tagging, cell labeling, genetically expressed labels and studies of chemical and radiation damage effects.
  
  
• Image Acquisition and Analysis: Validation of image formation theory, light propagation and scattering analysis, data management, phasing methods, algorithm development including filtering, signal detection, data reduction, image enhancement, pattern recognition, restoration, reconstruction, segmentation, feature extraction,  tomographic and single particle reconstruction, visualization of multi-dimensional information, and high throughput, automatic data processing at the cellular or subcellular level.
  
  
• Data Mining: Integration of information derived from complementary imaging techniques and bioinformatics to derive functional mechanisms.
  

MI has the following shared interests within the BST IRG:

• With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG: The BCMB IRG generally reviews applications on specific biological/chemical systems whereas MI is focused on general methodology and technology. Applications focusing on biochemical/biophysical principles or synthesis of imaging agents could be assigned to BCMB; applications focusing on bioengineering principles or application of agents to new imaging approaches could be assigned to MI.
  
  
• With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: Imaging studies are an area of shared interest. Applications addressing research questions focused on cell biology mechanisms or processes could be assigned to the CB IRG; applications addressing the technology of cell imaging could be assigned to MI.
  
  
• With the Genes, Genomes, and Genetics [GGG] IRG: An area of shared interest may be molecular image analysis, e.g., of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) datasets or microarray/chip datasets. Applications addressing research questions that are linked to genetic problems could be reviewed by the GGG IRG, whereas molecular imaging studies that are more technology oriented or where specific uses are not identified could be reviewed by MI.
  
  
• With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM] and AIDS and Related Research [AARR] IRGs: Applications focused on research questions related to infectious disease and virology could be assigned to IDM or AARR; applications focused on technology necessary for molecular or cellular imaging of microbes could be assigned to MI.
  
  
• With the Oncological Sciences [ONC] IRG:  Applications that focus on radiation damage due to therapeutic radiation could be assigned to ONC.  Applications that focus on radiation damage due to specimen analysis could be referred to MI.
  
  
• With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: Shared interests exist with study sections in SBIB in development of instrumentation, techniques, and procedures for imaging molecules and organelles. Generally, applications that address imaging technology at the level of the tissue or whole organism could be reviewed in SBIB; applications that address imaging technology at the level of the cell and below could be reviewed in MI. Also, if the objective of the study is to address questions of diagnosis, pathology, or treatment, assignment could be to SBIB, e.g., contrast agents for medical imaging. If the study objective is to address questions of either mechanism or basic biology, assignment could be to MI, e.g., contrast agents for microscopic imaging. MI typically does not review applications involved with large animals and human subjects.