The Skeletal Biology Development and Disease [SBDD] study section reviews grant applications that deal with the basic and translational aspects of the cells and matrix and their organization in skeletal tissues, including bone, cartilage, and other connective tissues, with a focus on cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, development, biomineralization, aging, heritable and metabolic bone diseases, pathogenesis, and hormonal and paracrine functions.
Specific areas covered by SBDD:
- Molecular and cellular biological and biochemical aspects of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, connective tissue cells, osteoclasts and other cells in the marrow environment in both normal and pathological conditions; studies of calcitropic hormones and paracrine factors involved in the biology of these cells; physical and mechanical influences on cellular behavior; role of bone in mineral ion homeostasis.
- Mechanisms of skeletal patterning; biology of mesenchymal progenitor cells and their differentiation; regulation of osteoclast lineage; cellular proliferation, lineage commitment, differentiation, apoptosis and their abnormalities; cellular aspects of aging of the skeleton.
- Structural and organizational aspects of bone and cartilage: cortical vs. trabecular bone; interactions between musculoskeletal elements; remodeling of the skeleton.
- Extracellular matrix: biomineralization of the extracellular matrix of skeletal and connective tissues and its regulation; structure and organization of matrix components; cell matrix interaction and signaling.
- Genetic linkage studies, gene discovery, gene expression in animal models and humans; models for gene therapy.
- Studies of molecular pathogenesis and biology of bone disease, in vitro studies and animal models of the effects of primary tumors and metastasis to bone on function.
- Diseases of the skeleton and mineral metabolism in humans and animal models: biomarkers, natural history, imaging and therapeutics as they apply to clinical and basic studies of osteoporosis, osteomalacia and other metabolic bone diseases; osteogenesis imperfecta; Paget’s disease of bone; chondrodystrophies, osteodystrophies; diseases of mineral ion homeostasis associated with abnormalities of parathyroid hormone, Vitamin D, calcitonin and other hormonal and paracrine factors.
SBDD has the following shared interests within the MOSS IRG:
- Arthritis, Connective Tissue, and Skin [ACTS]: Changes in extracellular matrix that occur in arthridites, skin, and skeletal muscle disease. In general, applications that focus on abnormalities of matrix limited to bone and cartilage and associated tendon and ligament structures would be assigned to the SBDD.
- Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration [SBSR]: The study of skeletal cell biology is shared with SBSR. The focus of SBSR is primarily injury and repair while that of SBDD is on basic and translational studies.
- Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences [ODCS]: Studies of bone and cartilage biology in craniofacial structures may be assigned to either ODCS or SBDD. In general, studies of biomineralization would be consolidated in SBDD with other skeletal studies of this topic.
SBDD has the following shared interests outside the MOSS IRG:
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With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: Studies of the genetic analyses of skeletal diseases could be assigned to SBDD. Studies of quantitative genetics, genetic epidemiology and genetic analysis of complex traits, and genetically engineered animals with an emphasis on systems physiology rather than skeletal diseases may be assigned to the GGG IRG.
With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA] IRG: Studies of early developmental biology may be assigned to the BDA IRG. When the focus is on lineages committed to formation of skeletal elements, assignment could be to SBDD. When osteoporosis is a secondary aspect of a multi-system study of the aging process, assignment could be appropriate for the BDA IRG; when osteoporosis is the primary study focus, the assignment may be to SBDD.
With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: Grant applications focused on biomineralization and the application of medical implant materials may be assigned to SBDD. Applications on general biocompatibility and new material development could be assigned to the BST IRG. Grant applications focused on developing technologies to introduce genes and drugs in a general cellular context are relevant to the BST IRG.
With the Health of the Population [HOP] IRG: In general, studies of the epidemiology of osteoporosis and other bone diseases would be assigned to the HOP IRG study sections as appropriate.
With the Oncological Sciences [ONC] IRG: In general, studies of bone tumors would be assigned to the ONC IRG. In general, when interactions between the bone/marrow microenvironment and metastatic cells are crucial to the function of the musculoskeletal system assignment would be to SBDD or SBSR.
With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: (1) There are shared interests in the areas related to remodeling and pelvic floor support. Applications whose endpoints are remodeling of reproductive tissues may be assigned to the EMNR IRG. On the other hand, basic or translational studies evaluating alterations in the supporting pelvic floor musculoskeletal structures could be assigned to SBDD. (2) Applications that focus upon nutrients, or general nutrition, may be assigned to the EMNR IRG. The effects of nutrients and other food components where bone disease may a part of the study may be assigned to EMNR IRG. Basic or translational applications with a primary focus on bone disease, where nutrients or general nutrition may be a part of the study may be assigned to SBDD.
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