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/BSTIRG/ISD.htm time: 13:44:34 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">Instrumentation and Systems Development [ISD]</span> (BSTIRG)

[ISD Roster]

The Instrumentation and Systems Development [ISD] study section will consider research applications (R01, R21, SBIR/STTR, etc.) seeking to design and develop novel instrumentation and systems for biological research. Although a test biological problem may be used to provide context, grant applications referred to this study section need not necessarily be hypothesis driven. Small business applications (SBIR and STTR) are reviewed mainly in special emphasis panels.

Specific areas covered by ISD include:

Analytical instrumentation: The design and development of novel instrumentation for biological research. Examples are mass spectrometry, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, x-ray, neutron and electron crystallography, solution scattering, and 2D and 3D imaging technologies for fluorescence, scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, vibrational spectroscopic microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and hardware and computer systems.
Sensing devices: Approaches to the detection and quantification of biologically important molecules, including both small molecule and macromolecular species. The development of such devices may require new surface chemistries and chemical, electrical, or other detection modalities, and may range in scope from devices for the analysis of a single analyte species to devices for the parallel analysis of thousands or millions of species. Also of interest are sensors of endogenous electric and magnetic fields in biological systems.
Separation technologies: Improvements and variations to classical techniques such as electrophoresis and chromatography, as well as the exploration and development of novel approaches, including molecule, assembly, and cell separations, microfluidics, and nanotechnology.
Robotics and automation: The design and development of both individual instrumentation modules and integrated robotic systems for the automation of chemical or biological reactions or processes. Systems for the large-scale acquisition of multivariate information from biological systems also are of interest.
Synthesis: Instruments for the synthesis of biomolecules at various scales.
Micro/nanofabrication: Microfabricated and/or nanostructured devices and systems for use in biological research.
Single molecule/cell approaches: Techniques, approaches, and devices for the analysis of biological systems at the single molecule, assembly, or single cell level.

ISD has the following shared interests within the BST IRG:

Many of the study sections of the BST IRG involve instrumentation at some level. The ISD study section could be the appropriate home when the central scientific or bioengineering question is design and development of instrumentation and methods of analysis. The following shared interests merit highlighting:

With Gene and Drug Delivery Systems [GDD]: Applications on nano or microfabricated delivery vehicles and ballistic methods could be assigned to GDD. Applications on design and development of instrumentation to deliver samples and to monitor delivery could be reviewed by ISD.
With Biomaterials and Biointerfaces [BMBI]: ISD has shared interests with the BMBI study section in the areas of development of microarray and nanoscale technologies and in sensing devices and associated surface chemistries. Applications with a principal focus on materials and surface chemistry may be directed to BMBI, whereas applications with a major emphasis on developing instrumentation for materials fabrication or use may be directed to ISD.
With Biodata Management and Analysis [BDMA]: ISD has shared interests with the BDMA study section in the areas of data acquisition, analysis software, and hardware. If the focus is on data storage management, and manipulation, then BDMA may be appropriate. If the focus is on developing hardware or instrument development for data collection, then ISD may be appropriate.
With Microscopic Imaging [MI]: Applications focusing on development of instrumentation for signal detection and signal transmission, or incorporation of imaging instrumentation into a larger system could be assigned to ISD. If the focus is on development of imaging instrumentation or imaging data analysis per se, then MI could be the appropriate home for review.

ISD has the following shared interests outside the BST IRG:

Multiple study sections in other IRGs will involve adaptation of instrumentation and analytical methods to specific biological, medical, or organ situations. If the focus is on the specific organ, system, or disease, then other IRGs may be appropriate. However, if the focus is on the design or development of the basic instrument or analytical method, ISD may be appropriate. Specific shared interests are:

With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG: ISD shares interests with BCMB in the development and application of novel approaches to study molecular structure and interactions. In cases where the dominant emphasis of the application is on bioengineering or biomaterials, the application may be assigned to ISD. If the dominant emphasis of the application is on the chemistry or biophysics, the application may be assigned to BCMB.
With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: Cell separation and fermentation are areas of shared interest between CB and ISD. Applications that use cell separation and/or fermentation technologies to address research questions related to cell biology could be assigned to the CB IRG; applications addressing the technology of cell separation and/or fermentation could be assigned to ISD.
With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM] and AIDS and Related Research [AARR] IRGs: Grant applications focused on biosensors for detecting infectious agents could be assigned to IDM or AARR. Applications focused on developing detection technologies could be assigned to ISD.
With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: If the objective of the study is to address development of instruments for diagnosis, pathology, or treatment, the application may be directed to SBIB. If the objective of the study is to address development of instruments for understanding basic engineering and design principles, biological mechanisms or basic biology, the application may be directed to ISD.