Areas of interest encompassed by this study section include the basic cellular and molecular physiology of neurons, glial, retinal, and other excitable cells (including chromaffin cells, neuroendocrine cells and muscle cells); the structural and functional characteristics of ion channels and transporters; the mechanisms by which extra- and intracellular signals are transduced; the structure and function of the transducers themselves; cellular regulation/physiology; neurochemical and pharmacological mechanisms, including the actions of psychoactive drugs; and the development of therapeutic compounds. Examples of specific areas covered, as they relate to neuronal and glial cells, are listed below:

• Signal transduction
• Ion channels
• Transporters
• Neuropharmacology
• Neuroendocrinology
• Neuromodulators
• Oxidative metabolism
• Gap junctions and connexins
• Neurotransmitter synthesis
• Electrophysiology
• Imaging
• Medicinal Chemistry  

Shared Interests

With F01 (Brain Disorders and Related Neuroscience) in the areas of neurodegenerative diseases and inflammation: If fellowship applications emphasize disease processes, then assignment to the F01 fellowship study section may be appropriate.  If fellowship applications emphasize biochemical and molecular or cellular approaches, then assignment to the F03 fellowship study sections may be appropriate.

With F02A (Behavioral Neuroscience) in the areas of neuroimmunology and circadian rhythms: Fellowship applications emphasizing systems approaches may be assigned to F02A; fellowship applications emphasizing biochemical and molecular or cellular approaches may be assigned to F03B.

With F02B (Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Neuroscience), in the area of vision: Studies of integrated circuits, systems, and behavior may be appropriate for F02B; studies of signal transduction and related processes that occur at the single cell level with emphasis on cell electrophysiology, molecular biophysics, and neurochemical pathways may be appropriate for F03B.

With F03A (Biochemical and Molecular Neuroscience): Fellowship applications that emphasize biochemical and molecular or cellular approaches in neural cells may be assigned to F03A; fellowship applications that emphasize physiological, pharmacological and biophysical approaches in the areas of synaptic function and synaptic plasticity neural cells may be assigned to F03B.

With F04B (Chemical and Bioanalytical Sciences): Fellowship applications concerned with quantitative analysis of biomolecular interactions and defining specific folding conformations may be assigned to F04B; fellowship applications that focus on signal transduction and related processes that occur at the single cell neuronal level with emphasis on cell electrophysiology, molecular biophysics, and neurochemical pathways may be appropriate for F03B.