NIH-CSR <script type="text/javascript"> var wmNotice = "UNT Web Archive - External links, forms, and search boxes may not function within this collection. Url: http://cms.csr.nih.gov/PeerReviewMeetings/CSRIRGDescription/MDCNIRG/MNPS.htm time: 15:18:36 Sep 20, 2008"; var wmHideNotice = "hide"; var contextRoot = "https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/js/disclaim.js"></script> <span id="Postingname3_PostingDisplayName">Molecular Neuropharmacology and Signaling Study Section [MNPS]</span> (MDCNIRG)

Formerly MDCN-5

[MNPS Roster]

The Molecular Neuropharmacology and Signaling [MNPS] Study Section reviews projects on neuronal and muscle signal transduction and neurotransmitters with a particular focus on neurochemical and pharmacological mechanisms. This includes studies of ligand interactions, neuromodulator interactions, neurotransmitter metabolism, and the development of therapeutic compounds. Emphasis is on fundamental cellular mechanisms, including those relevant to disease processes.

Specific areas covered by MNPS:

Pharmacological and neurochemical studies of ligand activation, G-protein coupling, and signal transduction cascades; studies of receptor agonists and antagonists; development of experimental and therapeutic approaches
Neurotransmitter and neuromodulator pathways; enzyme function and regulation; regulatory mechanisms; metabolic plasticity within the cell; synaptic dynamics [release, diffusion, inactivation, re-uptake]
Modulators of synaptic function, including growth factors, neurotrophins, neuropeptides, neurosteroids and neurotoxins; neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of modulatory mechanisms
Ligand activation of second messenger pathways; pharmacological and neurochemical studies of ligand activation of G-proteins and other effectors

MNPS has the following shared interests within the MDCN IRG:

With Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking [SYN]: SYN and MNPS share an interest in the area of synaptic dynamics. SYN may be appropriate for studies of exocytosis, endocytosis and cellular trafficking while MNPS may be appropriate for studies focusing on neurotransmitter release, regulation and function.
With Neural Degenerative Disorders and Glial Biology [NDGB]: NDGB and MNPS share interests in the areas of energy and oxidative metabolism and excitotoxicity. NDGB may be appropriate for studies focused on the energy demands of neurons and glia, mitochondria function and dysfunction, and the role of oxidative stress in neurodegeneration or neuroprotection, while MNPS may be appropriate for studies focused on oxidative metabolism and excitotoxic agents.
With Biophysics of Neural Systems [BPNS]: BPNS and MNPS have significant shared interest in the area of signal transduction, especially with respect to second messenger pathways. BPNS may be appropriate for molecular, structural, biochemical and biophysical studies, while MNPS may be appropriate for neurochemical and pharmacological studies of signal transduction.
With Neurotransporters, Receptors, Channels and Calcium Signaling [NTRC]: NTRC and MNPS have significant shared interests in the area of signal transduction. NTRC may be appropriate for studies of cellular electrophysiology, the synthesis and regulation of transduction molecules, and most studies involving calcium pathways, while MNPS may be appropriate for the neurochemical and pharmacological aspects of signal transduction.

MNPS has the following shared interests outside the MDCN IRG:

With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG: (1) The BCMB IRG and MNPS share interests in the area of receptor agonist/antagonist studies. If the focus is chemical synthesis of these molecules, BCMB may be appropriate. If the focus is receptor activation/inactivation in neural systems, MNPS may be appropriate. (2) The BCMB IRG and MNPS also share interest in the area of molecular pharmacology and medicinal chemistry/drug design. If the focus is primarily on molecular pharmacological/pharmacokinetic or medicinal chemistry/drug design per se, the BCMB IRG may be appropriate. If the focus is on molecular pharmacology/pharmacokinetics or medicinal chemistry/drug design in the context of agents affecting neural systems, MNPS may be appropriate.
With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: 1) The CB IRG and MNPS share an interest in signal transduction and second messenger pathways. The CB IRG may be appropriate for studies of kinase/phosphatase pathways and the regulation of cell growth, while MNPS may be appropriate for studies of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of brain-specific proteins or functions unique to the nervous system. (2) Another shared interest is in vision research. Applications that require specialized knowledge or appreciation of the posterior portion of the eye or the retina may be appropriate for the CB IRG, while applications that focus on neurochemical and pharmacological aspects of signal transduction may be appropriate for MNPS.
With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: The CVS IRG and MNPS share an interest in cardiac muscle. CVS may be appropriate for clinical research on cardiac muscle, especially in the context of heart disease. MNPS may be appropriate for neurochemical and pharmacological studies of signal transduction molecules in neuronal systems controlling the heart.
With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: The EMNR IRG and MNPS have broadly shared interests in the areas of neuropeptide/receptor interactions, second messengers and effectors, and neuropeptide processing enzymes. Studies of receptors for hypothalamic releasing or inhibiting factors or neuropeptide processing may be assigned to the EMNR IRG; studies of such receptors may be assigned to MNPS when the focus is on signaling that is specific to neurons/glia.
With the Digestive Sciences [DIG] IRG: The DIG IRG and MNPS share interests in gastro-intestinal signal transduction. Studies on signal transduction by neuroendocrine peptides may be appropriate for the DIG IRG when the focus is on the actions or disposition of nutrients. Studies on such signal transduction may be appropriate for MNPS when the focus is on signaling that is specific to neurons/glia.
With the Respiratory Sciences [RES] IRG: The RES IRG and MNPS have broadly shared interests in the areas of (1) neurotransmitters and (2) neural plasticity. Studies of neurotransmitters, when in the context of understanding the central control of breathing, may be appropriate for RES, while studies focused on the broader understanding of neurotransmitter function may be appropriate for MNPS. Studies of respiratory neural plasticity, when in the context of response to hypoxia, may be appropriate for RES, while studies on broader aspects of neural plasticity may be appropriate for MNPS.
With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG: (1) Study sections of the IFCN IRG and MNPS share interest in signal transduction. The IFCN IRG may be appropriate for signal transduction studies involving integrated circuits, systems, and behavior, while MNPS may be appropriate for studies involving transduction molecules and G-protein coupled receptors, with a particular emphasis on neurochemical and pharmacological approaches. (2) Another area of shared interest is in long-term potentiation [LTP] and long-term depression [LTD]. The IFCN IRG may be appropriate for applications involving LTP and LTD in learning, but MNPS may be appropriate for applications involving the pharmacological basis of LTP/LTD.
With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] IRG: (1) The BDCN IRG and MNPS share interest in neurological disease processes. For studies focused on basic and clinical research in neural disorders and injury, BDCN may be appropriate. For studies focused on signal transduction, G-protein coupling, and other fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the neural disorders or injuries, MNPS may be appropriate. (2) The BDCN IRG and MNPS also share interest in the area of vision research. Applications that require specialized knowledge or appreciation of the anterior portion of the eye may be appropriate for the BDCN IRG, while applications that focus on neurochemical and pharmacological aspects of signal transduction may be appropriate for MNPS.