[BPNS Roster]

The Biophysics of Neural Systems [BPNS] Study Section reviews applications on signal transduction in nerve, muscle, and other excitable cells, with the primary focus on the structure and function of the transducers themselves. This includes basic studies of subunit structure, molecular dynamics, gating and selectivity, and second-messenger cascades. This also includes basic biophysical studies of excitable membranes and their components, the biophysical integration of neural function, mathematical modeling, and computational studies. General approaches may include molecular and structural biology, pharmacology, biophysics, electrophysiology, protein chemistry, imaging and labeling techniques. Emphasis is on fundamental molecular mechanisms at the structural level, including those relevant to disease processes.

Specific areas covered by BPNS:

• Signal transduction molecules in neurons, glia, muscle, and excitable cells; sensory transducers; neuromodulators; voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels; gap junctions and connexins. 
  
  
• Model systems; relevant in vivo, in vitro, tissue slice, and tissue culture studies; molecular function in transgenic cells, cell lines, oocytes, and other expression systems; artificial lipid bilayers.
  
  
• Structure and function relationships in neural proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and their complexes; structural biology, including tomographic, crystallographic, spectroscopic, and imaging studies; three dimensional structural analysis, including subunit multimerization, neural protein folding and misfolding, assembly and aggregation, protein dynamics and protein-ligand interactions; molecular modeling; constructs altered through molecular genetic and chemical means.
  
  
• Neural protein interactions; local physical interactions; regulation of function; kinetics; microdomains; biophysics of membrane interfaces.
  
  
• Biophysical integration of neural function; quantitative modeling of neural function, such as synaptic integration and spike encoding; mathematical modeling at the cellular and molecular level; theoretical and computational approaches to neural membranes and proteins.
  
  
• Voltage dependence, ligand-gating and ionic selectivity, including patch-clamp and whole cell electrophysiology studies; activation, inactivation, pharmacology, and related aspects of molecular regulation.
  
  
• Coupling to second messenger pathways, including G-proteins and other enzymatic effectors; cyclic nucleotides and lipid metabolites, and Ca2+; relevant enzyme pathways [kinases, phosphatases, phospholipases].
  

BPNS has the following shared interests within the MDCN IRG:

• With Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking [SYN]: BPNS has shared interests with SYN in the area of signal transduction, trafficking and cytoskeletal molecules. BPNS has particular expertise in the structure and function of signal transduction and cytoskeletal molecules, but SYN may be appropriate for more general studies of synaptic function.
  
  
• With Neural Degenerative Disorders and Glial Biology [NDGB]: BPNS has shared interests with NDGB in the area of protein aggregation and protein folding as it relates to neurodegenerative disorders and/or synaptic function. BPNS may be appropriate for molecular, structural, and biophysical studies, while NDGB may be appropriate for studies more focused on basic mechanisms underlying the neurodegenerative disorders. 
  
  
• With Neurotransporters, Receptors, Channels and Calcium Signaling [NTRC]: BPNS has shared interests with NTRC in the area of synaptic function, signal transduction and imaging. BPNS may be appropriate for molecular, structural, and biophysical studies, while NTRC may be appropriate for studies of cellular electrophysiology, synthesis and regulation of the transduction molecules, and most studies involving calcium pathways.
  
  
• With Molecular Neuropharmacology and Signaling [MNPS]: BPNS has shared interests with MNPS in the area of signal transduction, especially with respect to second messenger pathways. BPNS may be appropriate for molecular, structural, and biophysical studies, while MNPS may be appropriate for neurochemical and pharmacological studies.
  

BPNS has the following shared interests outside the MDCN IRG: 

• With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG: BPNS has shared interests with the BCMB IRG in the study of model membranes; structure and function relationship of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids; structural biology; quantitative modeling; theoretical and computational approaches, etc. BCMB IRG may review studies of model membranes, protein structure and function, and structural biology, theoretical and computational approaches, etc. when the focus is on biological chemistry or macromolecular biophysics. BPNS may review studies of the structure/function of cell membranes, channels, receptors, signal transduction molecules, etc. when the focus is on cells/molecules of the nervous system or other excitable cells.
  
  
• With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: BPNS has shared interests with study sections of the CB IRG with respect to second messenger pathways and gap junctions, and applications involving excitable cells of the musculature and the visual system. (1) The CB IRG may review studies of kinase/phosphatase pathways and the regulation of cell growth; BPNS may review studies where signal transducers lead to changes in phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of proteins or other second-messenger functions in the nervous system. (2)  The CB IRG may review research emphasizing the cell biology and biochemistry of gap junctions and connexins, while BPNS may review research emphasizing the electrophysiological and biophysical aspects of gap junctions or research emphasizing cells of the nervous system.  (3)  The CB IRG may review research on muscle structure and contractile proteins; BPNS may review research on biophysical studies of signal transduction of these excitable cells. (4) The CB IRG may review research on signal transduction molecules, or voltage-gated or ligand-gated ion channels when the focus is on aspects that are especially characteristic of the retina while BPNS may review vision-related studies dealing with signal transduction molecules, voltage-gated or ligand-gated ion channels when the focus is on the molecular, structural and biophysical aspects.
  
  
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: BPNS has shared interests with study section of the CVS IRG with respect to cardiovascular applications. The CVS IRG may review clinical aspects of cardiac muscle, especially in the context of heart disease; BPNS may review biophysical studies of the signal transduction molecules or studies focused on the molecular, structural and biophysical aspects of these excitable cells.
  
  
• With the Digestive Sciences [DIG] IRG:  BPNS has shared interests with study sections of the DIG IRG in the area of gut-specific signal transduction and neuroactive drugs. Studies focusing on gut-specific signal transduction may be assigned to the DIG IRG. Studies focusing on general neuronal signal transduction in a gut-specific setting may be assigned to BPNS. Also, applications on neuroactive drugs may be assigned to BPNS if the primary focus is on neurotransduction mechanisms.
  
  
• With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG: BPNS has shared interests with the IFCN IRG in the areas of signal transduction in the context of integrated circuits, systems and behavior, with particular expertise in neuronal basis of behavior; neuroendocrine and neuroimmune function; rhythms and oscillatory behavior; sensory function, and motor function; and long-term potentiation and depression.  (1) IFCN may be appropriate for studies of transduction molecules at the integrated and system level. BPNS may be appropriate for studies of transduction molecules at the structural and cellular level, including second messenger pathways. (2) The IFCN IRG may be appropriate for studies of long term potentiation [LTP] and long term depression [LTD] in learning; BPNS may be appropriate for studies of the biophysics of ion channels in LTP/LTD.
  
  
• With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG:  (1) The IFCN IRG and BSCT share an interest in signal transduction. The IFCN IRG may be more appropriate for studies of transduction in the context of integrated circuits, systems, and behavior, including neuroendocrine and neuroimmune function; rhythms and oscillatory behavior, and sensory and motor function. BSCT may be more appropriate for studies of transduction at the molecular and cellular level, including second messenger pathways. (2) The IFCN IRG and BSCT share an interest in studies of long term potentiation [LTP] and long term depression [LTD]. The IFCN IRG may be more appropriate for studies of LTP and LTD in the context of learning, but BSCT may be more appropriate for studies of the biophysics of ion channels in LTP/LTD.
  
  
• With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] IRG: BPNS has shared interests with study sections of the BDCN IRG with respect to research related to neurodegenerative disorders and injury and studies related to the molecular, structural and biophysical aspects of the visual system. (1) Study sections of the BDCN IRG may review in vivo and clinical research in neurological disorders and injury, but BPNS may review fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms in signal transduction and biophysical studies in neurons and synapses. (2) The BDCN IRG may review applications focused on vision-related applications dealing with signal transduction molecules, voltage-gated or ligand-gated ion channels when the focus is on aspects especially characteristic of the anterior portion of the eye. BPNS may review vision-related studies dealing with signal transduction molecules, voltage-gated or ligand-gated ion channels when the focus is on the molecular, structural and biophysical aspects.