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/SYN.htm time: 15:42:59 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">Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking Study Section [SYN]</span> (MDCNIRG)

Formerly MDCN-1

The Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking [SYN] Study Section reviews applications on the basic cell biology of nerve, muscle and other excitable cells, including synaptic plasticity, protein and organelle trafficking, cell surface and extracellular matrix molecules in cell recognition and function, and cytoskeletal functions across the life span. Emphasis is on fundamental mechanisms of excitable cell function, including those relevant to disease processes.

Specific areas covered by SYN:

Formation, regulation, maintenance, and dynamics of synaptic structure and function in the central and peripheral nervous systems
Molecular neuronal mechanisms of endocytosis, exocytosis and membrane recycling; protein assembly, folding and targeting; organelle, protein, and mRNA localization and trafficking
Structure, function, modification, assembly and regulation of cytoskeletal proteins and molecular motors; axonal and dendritic transport; neuronal polarity, growth cones, and structural plasticity;cytoskeletal pathology; the proteosome/ubiquitin system
Regulation of extracellular space; cell surface, extracellular matrix, and transmembrane components, and their function; cell recognition

SYN has the following shared interests within the MDCN IRG:

With Neural Degenerative Disorders and Glial Biology [NDBG]: NDGB and SYN share interests with respect to cytoskeletal pathology as related to neurodegenerative diseases. NDGB may be appropriate if the emphasis is on the neurodegenerative aspects; but SYN may be appropriate if the focus is more on cytoskeletal and/or trafficking issues. (2) NDGB and SYN also share an interest in the area of proteolytic processing and the proteosome/ubiquitin system. Studies that focus primarily on the role of these processes in neurodegeneration may be appropriate for NDGB; studies that focus primarily on the role of these processes in synaptic plasticity or trafficking may be appropriate for SYN.
With Biophysics of Neural Systems [BPNS]: BPNS and SYN share an interest in the area of synaptic function. Studies focused on the structure and function of signal transduction molecules may be appropriate for BPNS; more general studies of synaptic function may be appropriate for SYN.
With Neurotransporters, Receptors, Channels and Calcium Signaling [NTRC]: NTRC and SYN share interests with respect to synaptic function and the cellular regulation of signal transducer molecules. NTRC may be appropriate if the focus is on signal transduction pathways and electrophysiology; SYN may be appropriate for studies related to fundamental cellular, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of neuronal cell function.
With Molecular Neuropharmacology and Signaling [MNPS]: MNPS and SYN share an interest in the area of synaptic dynamics. MNPS may be appropriate for studies focusing on neurotransmitter release, regulation and function; SYN may be appropriate for studies of exocytosis, endocytosis, cellular trafficking and cytoskeletal interactions.
With Neurodifferentiation, Plasticity, and Regeneration [NDPR]: NDPR and SYN share interests in (1) the area of neuroplasticity. Studies focused on developmental and regenerative events, including process outgrowth and guidance, dendritic development, and synaptogenesis, may be appropriate for NDPR. Studies focused on fundamental mechanisms of trafficking, basic cytoskeletal interactions, and synaptic function, including vesicular release, endocytosis, and receptor turnover may be appropriate for SYN. (2) NDPR and SYN share interests in the study of cytoskeletal, cell membrane and extracellular matrix components. Those studies that focus on developmental events or repair mechanisms may be appropriate for NDPR, while studies that focus on issues of trafficking or basic synaptic function may be appropriate for SYN.

SYN has the following shared interests outside the MDCN IRG:

With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: 1) The study sections of the CB IRG and SYN share an interest in general aspects of cell biology. Studies that address molecules and basic cellular processes may be appropriate for CB. Studies that address molecules and processes characteristic of the nervous system may be appropriate for SYN. (2) An additional area of shared interest is in vision research. Studies involving the visual system that require specialized knowledge or appreciation of the retina and posterior portion of the eye may be appropriate for CB. Studies involving the visual system that focus on fundamental aspects of trafficking, cytoskeletal interactions and cell surface or extracellular matrix molecules may be appropriate for SYN.
With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: The GGG IRG and SYN share interests in neurogenetic studies. Where the primary focus is on genetic mechanisms, emerging genetic techniques, or studies of genomic screening, linkage analysis, and molecular genetic regulation, the GGG IRG may be appropriate. Where the primary focus is on neural mechanisms, neural outcomes or neural diseases involving specific cytoskeletal or trafficking components (e.g., Fragile-X syndrome), SYN may be appropriate.
With the Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: The MOSS IRG and SYN share an interest in skeletal muscle. MOSS may be appropriate for studies of clinical aspects of skeletal muscle, skeletal muscle development and/or skeletal muscle force production; SYN may be appropriate when the primary focus in on neural structure and function, or the neuronal control of muscle force production.
With the Respiratory Sciences [RES] IRG: The RES IRG and SYN 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 SYN. 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 SYN.
With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG: The IFCN IRG and SYN share interests in cellular interactions involving cell surface and extracellular matrix molecules. Studies of such cellular interactions in the context of integrated circuits, systems, and behavior may be appropriate for IFCN. Studies of cellular interactions in the context of single cells may be appropriate for SYN.
With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] IRG: (1) The study sections of the BDCN IRG and SYN share interest in the fundamental mechanisms of excitable cell function relevant to disease processes in the nervous system. Applications focused primarily on the disease or disease processes may be appropriate for the BDCN IRG. Studies that focus primarily on the basic underlying cellular or molecular mechanisms may be appropriate for SYN. (2) An additional area of shared interest is vision research. Studies involving the visual system that require specialized knowledge or appreciation of the anterior portion of the eye may be appropriate for the BDCN IRG. Studies involving the visual system that focus on fundamental aspects of trafficking, cytoskeletal interactions and cell surface or extracellular matrix molecules may be appropriate for SYN.