[SBIR/STTR Rosters]

The Biology of Development and Aging IRG (BDA) Small Business Activities Special Emphasis Panel will review SBIR and STTR applications in the areas of developmental biology and aging, using diverse animal and plant models or human studies, and employing approaches at a variety of levels from molecules to whole organisms.  Proposals that concern geriatric studies may transcend the boundaries of single organs or systems (e.g., in co-morbidities), and may require integrated experimental, genetic or observational approaches.

Specific areas covered by the BDA SBIR/STTR include:

• Basic biology of stem cells: in vitro culture of blastocysts and embryos; animal (invertebrate and vertebrate) and human embryonic and adult stem cells: strategies for their culture and differentiation both in vitro and in vivo, studies on totipotency and cell commitment; stem cell culture in vitro, stem cell differentiation and de-differentiation; identification and characterization of lineage-specific markers for stem cells.
  
  
• Gamete and embryo cryopreservation methodologies.
  
  
• Novel strategies for animal cloning.
  
  
• Use of reverse genetic approaches for addressing developmental questions [e.g., RNA interference (RNAi), morpholinos, and other oligonucleotide technologies].
  
  
• Development of toxicological and teratological assays in model organisms (e.g., zebrafish, frog, mouse, Drosophila, C. elegans) for identification of birth defects.
  
  
• New models of development or aging: including transgenic, animal, cellular and plant models of development, birth defects, cell death, regeneration and repair, and aging/longevity.
  
  
• Methods for analysis of apoptosis and apoptotic signal imaging in relation to remodeling of organ systems during development and aging.
  
  
• Markers that may predict aging or cellular senescence; inhibitors of senescence.
  
  
• Novel devices and monitoring systems for geriatric patients (i.e., patients with age-related conditions involving multiple systems and/or multifactorial mechanisms). 
  
  
• Interventions for age-dependent cognitive and physiological deficits in humans (such as menopause, frailty, infections) when studies of geriatric morbidities transcend single organ systems or disciplines and may require integrated experimental, genetic or observational approaches.
  

BDA Small Business Activities have the following shared interests outside the IRG:

In general, applications focused on early development or on aging of tissues, organs, or organisms may be assigned to BDA when the emphasis is on general topics in development or aging.  When the emphasis is on late postnatal differentiation of a specific tissue or organ system, the organ- or tissue-related IRG is the assignment of choice.  Applications focused on the basic biology of stem cells may be clustered in BDA.

• Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes IRG (BBBP):  Studies directed toward the treatment of geriatric psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and animal models of psychological disorders of aging, could be assigned to the BDA IRG or to the BBBP IRG, depending upon the level of analysis and the nature of the intervention. Applications focused on geriatric syndromes, particularly those that transcend single organ systems and involve multiple experimental approaches, could be assigned to BDA IRG. Health education or training directed to the health care provider, not the patient, may also be assigned to the BDA IRG. However, if the focus of the study is on altering the behavior of the individual, including science education for the non-professional, the application could be assigned to BBBP.
  
  
• Bioengineering Sciences and Technology IRG (BST):  If applications concern the development of a new technology or approach (e.g., computational modeling), then assignment to the BST IRG may be appropriate.  If use of an existing technology or approach is proposed to address questions in aging or development, or the basic biology of stem cells, then assignment to the BDA IRG may be appropriate.
  
  
• Cell Biology IRG (CB):  Applications concerning technologies for analysis of cellular processes, including cell imaging and flow cytometry, may be appropriate for assignment to the CB IRG.  Applications that propose use of cellular biological techniques to study a developmental or aging process may be appropriate for the BDA IRG. Applications concerning the basic biology of adult or embryonic stem cells (e.g., culturing, differentiation) may be reviewed in the BDA IRG.
  
  
• Digestive Sciences IRG (DIG):  Applications concerning late development of tissues or organs in digestive systems could be assigned to the DIG IRG, whereas studies on early development or aging of the digestive tract tissues could be assigned to BDA IRG.   Applications on the basic biology of adult or embryonic stem cells could be assigned to the BDA.
  
  
• Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, and Reproductive Sciences IRG (EMNR):  Applications on pregnancy, reproduction or endocrinology may be assigned to EMNR, whereas applications focused on early development (e.g., gametogenesis) and its mechanisms could be assigned to BDA.  Applications focused on effects of aging may be assigned to EMNR when the role of aging is secondary to the study of nutrition and metabolism; conversely, applications that have a primary focus on aging or lifespan may be assigned to BDA.
  
  
• Genes, Genomes and Genetics IRG (GGG):  When applications involve technologies and methodologies for gene identification and analysis, studies on gene expression, and development of molecular genetic tools, assignment to the GGG IRG may be appropriate.  If such applications propose use of genetic tools to address questions in development or aging/longevity, then assignment to the BDA IRG may be appropriate.
  
  
• Health of the Population IRG (HOP) and the Risk Prevention and Health Behavior IRG (RPHB): The HOP IRG and the RPHB IRG also study the aging process in humans. The HOP IRG focuses on the demographic and socioenvironmental factors that affect health and health related behavior, and the various ways in which these factors are taken into account when attempting to prevent or treat health conditions.  The RPHB IRG focuses on the psychosocial aspects of the aging process. Studies of behavioral modification, including health education or training, directed toward the prevention and treatment of geriatric diseases, including psychological aspects, could be assigned to the HOP IRG or the RPHB IRG, depending on the level of analysis, the nature of the intervention and whether the focus is on the patient or the health service provider. Studies in aging humans or animals which transcend single organ systems or disciplines and which involve integrated experimental, genetic or observational approaches (such as in geriatric co-morbidities) could be assigned to the BDA IRG.
  
  
• Hematology IRG (HEME):  Applications focused on hematopoietic stem cells or related therapies could be assigned to the HEME IRG.  Applications on the basic biology of adult or embryonic stem cells could be assigned to the BDA IRG.
  
  
• Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurosciences (MDCN) IRG:  Applications on the study of stem cells in the nervous system could be assigned to MDCN, whereas studies involving general topics in development and aging (when the focus is aging, particularly those that transcend single organ systems or disciplines) in relation to the nervous system could be assigned to BDA.
  
  
• Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences IRG (MOSS):  Applications focused on musculoskeletal, oral and/or skin tissues could be assigned to the MOSS IRG, whereas studies involving broad topics in early development or aging of these tissues could be assigned to BDA IRG.  Applications on the basic biology of adult or embryonic stem cells could be assigned to the BDA. 
  
  
• Renal and Urological Sciences IRG (RUS):  Applications that concern renal or genitourinary tract tissues could be assigned to RUS IRG, whereas early developmental studies or studies on aging of these tissues could be assigned to BDA.  Applications on the basic biology of adult or embryonic stem cells may be reviewed in BDA.
  
  
• Respiratory Sciences IRG (RES):  Applications that are focused on the respiratory system and related disorders could be assigned to the RES IRG.    Studies focused on early development of the respiratory system or aging of these tissues could be assigned to the BDA IRG. Applications on the basic biology of adult or embryonic stem cells could be assigned to BDA.