[DIG Small Business SEP-DIG (10)] 

[SBIR/STTR Study Section Rosters]

Specific areas covered by the DIG Small Business SEP:

The DIG Small Business SEP has the following shared interests outside the DIG IRG:

• With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG:  Shared interest exists for structure-function relationships for enzymes/transporters/receptors involved in nutrient and/or xenobiotic disposition. Where interests are focused primarily on structure-function relationship of enzymes, transporters and/or receptors for xenobiotics and nutrients in the digestive system, they could be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP. Studies designed to address general principles of enzymes, transporters and/or receptors may be considered under the auspices of the BCMB IRG. Shared interests also exist in the study of pro-drugs. Shared interests exist in the study of pro-drugs. Studies focused primarily on the disposition and action of the pro-drug in the digestive system could be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP. Studies of pro-drug structure and function that use primarily biophysical techniques (e.g., X-ray diffraction, electron spin resonance, and single molecular techniques) could be assigned to the BCMB IRG.
• With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA] IRG:  Applications studying the use of stem cell technology for digestive system specific issues could be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP.  BDA may be considered for more general developmental studies.  Applications that use human embryonic stem cells might also be clustered in the BDA IRG, even if studying digestive system 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 digestive system diseases and their use in digestive system injury and repair may be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP.  (2) Applications that focus on gene or drug delivery when the purpose is treatment of inherited and acquired digestive system disorders may be appropriate for the DIG Small Business SEP.  Development of novel gene and drug delivery technologies may be assigned to the BST IRG.  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: Shared interests exist in several areas. (1) Studies in the area of xenobiotic/nutrient metabolism/toxicology, endocrine disruptors, hormones of the pituitary or pancreas that are involved in metabolic function, and placental nutrients and fetal growth could be assigned to DIG when they are being used at therapeutic or toxicologic doses; if the endocrine system is the primary focus, assignment could be to EMNR. (2) Assignment could be made to DIG when the focus of the studies is the digestion, absorption, and metabolism in the GI tract, liver, or pancreas of nutrient and non-nutrient components of diet or dietary supplements when presented at supra physiologic levels. Studies of metabolism by organs or tissues other than those of the digestive system as well as subsequent disposition, transport, absorption and excretion could be assigned to EMNR. (3) Applications dealing with lipid metabolism in the GI tract and liver could be assigned to DIG, while studies that focus on lipoproteins and lipid metabolism could be assigned to EMNR.
  
  
• With the Health of the Population [HOP] and the Risk, Prevention, and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRGs: Studies of behavior modification, including patient health education or training, directed toward the prevention and treatment of digestive system 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 digestive system could be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP.  Health education or training directed to the health care provider in gastroenterology, not the patient, should also be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP.
  
  
  
• With the Oncological Sciences [ONC] IRG: In general, studies of the biology, genetics, interactions of cells with their microenvironment, or biomarkers for early detection of GI dysplasia, pre-neoplastic conditions and pre-neoplastic conditions of the liver would be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP. Those that involve GI and liver cancers (invasive and metastatic cancers) and all other cancers including chemo- and radiation therapy would be assigned to the ONC IRG. Studies of familial adenomatous polyosis (FAP) as well as the pathology and treatment of polyps in the GI system would be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP. In general, cell biological studies of GI or liver cancers would also be assigned to the ONC IRG.  Molecular and genetic studies of Barrett's Esophagus and H. pylori infection (intestinal metaplasia) would be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP. 
  
  
• 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 digestive system function could be assigned to the DIG Small Business SEP.  (2) Applications having a bioengineering or device development focus could be referred to SBIB or to the DIG Small Business SEP depending on the focus of the application.  If the device relates to multiple organs, the application would be referred to SBIB. Proposals on bioengineering related specifically to devices for digestive system diseases and their use in digestive system injury and repair are appropriate for the DIG Small Business SEP.