[BDPE Roster]

The Biology and Diseases of the Posterior Eye [BDPE] Study Section reviews applications for basic, applied, and clinical research on the posterior portion of the eye, i.e., that are focused on the structure, function, and disorders of the retina, retinal pigmented epithelium, choroid, and retinal vasculature. It also addresses related disorders such as degenerative and vascular diseases and retinal involvement in diabetes.

Specific areas covered by BDPE:

• Basic research focused on the retina, retinal pigmented epithelium, choroid, and retinal vasculature; anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, pharmacology, development, genetics, cell and molecular biology
  
  
• Phototransduction processes in rods and cones
  
  
• Neural interconnections in the retina and cellular electrophysiology
  
  
• Clinical investigations and fundamental research on the etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of retinal and choroidal diseases, including degeneration, diabetes, and vascular diseases
  
  
• Instrumentation and applications of computer technology to the retina

The BDPE Study Section has the following shared interests within the CB IRG:

Shared areas of interest include cellular processes such as trafficking, cytoskeletal interactions, cell surface or extracellular matrix molecules, cell-cell interactions, molecular studies of receptor signal transduction, and cellular signaling pathways. If the focus is the cellular process in the context of retinal physiology or disease, assignment could be to BDPE. If the focus is the fundamental cellular process with the retina being used as a model system, assignment could be to one of the other CB IRG study sections.

BDPE has the following shared interests outside the CB IRG:

·         With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG: BDPE has shared interests with BCMB regarding applications that focus on the biophysical and physical chemistry of transduction-related proteins, e.g., opsins, transducins, and phosphodiesterase; BCMB may be more appropriate if the focus is either on properties of proteins in general or on emerging biophysical or chemical approaches. BDPE may be more appropriate if the focus is on retina-specific mechanisms or outcomes.

·         With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: BDPE has shared interests with GGG regarding applications dealing with genetic components of retinal diseases, e.g., gene structure and function, mapping, linkage, or population-based research. GGG may be appropriate if the focus is on either genetics in general or emerging genetic approaches.  BDPE may be appropriate if the focus is on retina-specific mechanisms or outcomes.

·         With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA] IRG: BDPE has shared interests with BDA in retinal development, replication, and regeneration. If the focus is on the physiology or disease specific to the retina, assignment could be to BDPE. If the focus is on developmental or aging processes using the eye as a model system, assignment could be to the BDA IRG.

·         With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG and its Central Visual Processing [CVP] Study Section: If the question involves neurophysiological and psychophysical research applications involving the visual cortex, IFCN may be appropriate. If the focus is cell biological or eye-specific, assignment to BDPE may be appropriate.

·         With the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] IRG regarding (1) trafficking, cytoskeletal interactions, and cell surface or extracellular matrix molecules, (2) neurodegeneration, oxidative and energy metabolism, and excitotoxicity, (3) molecular, structural, and biophysical studies of signal transduction, (4) molecular transporters, ion pumps, and cellular electrophysiology, especially involving calcium, (5) neurochemical and pharmacological aspects of signal transduction, (6) regulation of cell cycle, cell specification and patterning, cell differentiation, and the initiation and regulation of rhythmicity, and (7) the development, aging, and regeneration of neural connections. If the focus is molecular neuroscience, assignment to MDCN may be appropriate. If the focus is cell biological or eye-specific, assignment to BDPE may be appropriate.

·         With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] IRG and its Anterior Eye Disease [AED] Study Section: If the focus is primarily on the anterior chamber of the eye, including inflammation, immunology, and infectious diseases, BDCN may be appropriate.  BDCN may be appropriate for applications on uveitis, even if retinal cells are involved, and glaucoma.  If the focus is cell biological or posterior eye-specific, assignment to BDPE may be appropriate.

·         With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: Vascular biology is a shared interests between CVS and BDPE. If an application concerns angiogenesis or vascular biology in general, assignment could be to CVS. If an application concerns angiogenesis or vascular biology that is specific to the retina, assignment could be to BDPE.