Integrated Review Groups (IRGs)

Dr. Delia Olufokunbi Sam

Ph.D., Director
Division of Neuroscience, Development and Aging (DNDA)

Aging and Neurodegeneration Integrated Review Group - AGND

 

 

Study Sections

Dr. Ross Shonat

Ph.D., Director
Division of Physiological and Pathological Sciences (DPPS)

Applied Immunology and Disease Control Integrated Review Group - AIDC

The AIDC IRG reviews grant applications that focus on immunological, biological, and chemical strategies for infectious disease intervention, control, and prevention. Included are the discovery and development of anti-infective agents and vaccines for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and control strategies which cover all investigative aspects of vectors associated with disease transmission.

Study Sections

Dr. John Bowers

Ph.D., Director
Division of Translational and Clinical Sciences (DTCS)

Applied Therapeutics for Cancer Integrated Review Group - ATC

 

 

Study Sections

Dr. Valerie Durrant

Ph.D., Director
Division of AIDS, Behavioral and Population Sciences (DABP)

Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes Integrated Review Group - BBBP

BBBP IRG: Research on non-human animals as well as humans is included, and both normal and disordered processes are addressed. While the focus is on behavior, studies may also consider related central, autonomic, neuroendocrine, immune, neural, hormonal, motor, and genetic issues. Neuroimaging and molecular and/or behavioral genetic approaches may be employed.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Raymond Jacobson

Ph.D., Director
Division of Basic and Integrative Biological Sciences (DBIB)

Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics Integrated Review Group - BCMB

The BCMB IRG has special expertise in macromolecular mechanisms, biochemistry, chemistry, structural biology, enzymology, biophysical methods, and the theory underlying the function of biological molecules and their interactions. This IRG encompasses the basic physical sciences that underlie biology at the molecular level. The BCMB IRG also bridges the development of technologies with a molecular focus and their application to biological problems.

 

Study Sections

Dr. John Bowers

Ph.D., Director
Division of Translational and Clinical Sciences (DTCS)

Biology of Development and Aging Integrated Review Group - BDA

The BDA IRG will consider applications involving translational and clinical investigations that encompass cancer therapeutic development and cancer treatment. Specifically, the BDA IRG reviews research grant applications related to drug discovery and mechanism of action of cancer therapeutic agents in both in vitro and in vivo model systems; identification and validation of new druggable targets; development and evaluation of experimental therapies of neoplastic diseases; development or optimization of treatment modalities; and radiation biology and therapy.

Study Sections

 

Dr. Delia Olufokunbi Sam

Ph.D., Director
Division of Neuroscience, Development and Aging (DNDA)

Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Integrated Review Group - BDCN

Investigations appropriate for review in the BDCN IRG may include those using animal models of neural injury or disease, investigations based on the study of specific patient populations, or investigations focused on the development of rehabilitative and therapeutic strategies. Specific areas of interest include the investigation of traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, the consequences of episodes of ischemia or hypoxia, the study of mental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and other neuropathies. These specific areas of interest may be studied from the perspective of neuroanatomical or neurophysiological alterations, changes in neurotransmitter or neurotrophin function or metabolism, the genetic, cellular, or molecular basis of alterations induced by disease or injury, the influence or involvement of the immune or vascular systems in a neural disease process or response, and the neurological basis of addictive, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional disorders.

In addition to this IRG, the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] and Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRGs within CSR focus on the review of neuroscience-related applications, and the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG also has some shared interests with the BDCN IRG. Please see the descriptions and shared interest statements of these IRGs for a complete description of their review venues.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Raymond Jacobson

Ph.D., Director
Division of Basic and Integrative Biological Sciences (DBIB)

Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies Integrated Review Group - BST

The Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies (BST) IRG reviews grant applications that focus on fundamental aspects of bioengineering and technology development in the following areas: gene and drug delivery systems, nanotechnology, high-throughput screening, modeling of biological systems, bioinformatics and computer science, data management, instrumentation, chips and microarrays, point-of-care devices, biosensors, biomaterials, and bioactive surfaces. Biological context is important in bioengineering, and a central premise in the organization of this IRG is the need for effective review of bioengineering and technology development in early stages before specific practical uses are proven.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Raymond Jacobson

Ph.D., Director
Division of Basic and Integrative Biological Sciences (DBIB)

Cell Biology Integrated Review Group - CB

This CB IRG will review applications that involve a variety of approaches including cellular, molecular, biochemical, and genetics, and use a variety of techniques including microscopy, genomics, proteomics and computational techniques, with the primary goal of better understanding cell structure-function, cell signaling, cellular regulatory systems, cellular interactions, development, and aging. In addition, the grant applications that are focused on basic mechanisms of the cell, molecular and developmental biology of the eye are also reviewed in this branch.

 

Study Sections

Dr. John Bowers

Ph.D., Director
Division of Translational and Clinical Sciences (DTCS)

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences Integrated Review Group - CVRS

CVRS IRG: Cardiac study sections are organized around themes of cardiac development, muscle contraction including cardiac hypertrophy and failure, cardiovascular electrophysiology and arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia and metabolism and include a study section devoted to clinical investigation. Respiratory study sections focus on inflammation and immune dysfunctions in the lung, lung injury, repair and remodeling, and the integrative biology and control mechanisms of the lung and its related organs and tissues. Investigators may employ a range of approaches that include genetics, genomics and proteomics, molecular, cell, and computational biology, biochemistry, biophysics and bioengineering, imaging, analyses of model organisms, and human studies.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Ross Shonat

Ph.D., Director
Division of Physiological and Pathological Sciences (DPPS)

Digestive, Kidney and Urological Systems Integrated Review Group - DKUS

The DKUS IRG reviews grant applications that focus on basic and clinical aspects of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, kidney, urinary tract and male genital system physiology and pathobiology, as well as the disposition and action of nutrients and xenobiotics. In addition, the IRG reviews applications aimed at the development and evaluation of new techniques, therapies and treatments related to the disorders of the GI tract, hepatobiliary, pancreas, kidney, urinary tract, and male genital system. Investigators may employ a broad range of basic and clinical research methods including pharmacologic, chemical and biochemical approaches, genetics, genomics and proteomics, molecular and cell biology techniques and animal models. Patient-oriented studies including pediatric gastroenterology, renal, urinary and male genital system are included in this IRG, but large population studies and randomized clinical trials involving digestive disorders, kidney, urinary and male genital systems are reviewed elsewhere.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Ross Shonat

Ph.D., Director
Division of Physiological and Pathological Sciences (DPPS)

Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences Integrated Review Group - EMNR

The EMNR IRG reviews grant applications addressing molecular, cellular, and higher order hormone-regulated processes in physiology and pathophysiology. It evaluates applications addressing basic and clinical aspects of hypothalamic, pituitary, gonadal, thyroid, and adrenal physiology and pathophysiology, diabetes mellitus (including its pathogenesis, complications and treatment), the biology of the pancreatic islet (beta cell), adipocyte biology, obesity (including its causes and treatment), and other metabolic disorders including inborn errors of metabolism and nutrient transport disorders. Also reviewed in this IRG are applications addressing the biology of reproduction and the pathobiology of its disorders (including the causes and treatments of infertility); male and female reproductive aging and menopause; obstetrical disorders of implantation, gestation, embryogenesis, and parturition; disorders of fetal and neonatal life; and gynecologic conditions. Studies of the role of nutrition under normal and pathological conditions are also reviewed in this IRG.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Delia Olufokunbi Sam

Ph.D., Director
Division of Neuroscience, Development and Aging (DNDA)

Emerging Technologies and Training in Neurosciences Integrated Review Group - ETTN

The Emerging Technologies and Training in Neurosciences [ETTN] IRG reviews crosscutting neuroscience grant applications that focus either on the development of novel technologies as well as the application of emerging technologies to neuroscience problems. The scientific areas are broad and would include: genetics, bioengineering, bioinformatics, modeling, simulation, and imaging all in a neuroscience context. In addition, the IRG also is the locus for the review for all small business [SBIR and STTR] applications in the neurosciences as well as all of the neuroscience related fellowship applications.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Raymond Jacobson

Ph.D., Director
Division of Basic and Integrative Biological Sciences (DBIB)

Genes, Genomes and Genetics Integrated Review Group - GGG

GGG IRG: Areas considered are fundamental mechanisms and regulation of gene expression, including chromosome function and maintenance, the regulation of DNA and RNA metabolism, translation, and posttranslational modification. Genomic studies, computational biology and technology development will also be considered, including development of new genetic tools and resources, global analysis of genetic systems, biological and computational resource development, and classification, storage, access, analysis and integration of genetic and other biological information. Genetic variation and evolution will be reviewed under the GGG IRG including the description, analysis and modeling of induced and natural genome variation, and comparisons between species. All aspects of quantitative genetics including complex trait mapping will be considered in humans and a wide variety of other species. The involvement of genetics in human health and disease will be considered, including the discovery, application and interpretation of gene and genomic variation influencing phenotype and the development of experimental and computational approaches to the identification of disease-related genes. Proposals dealing with model systems of all organisms, as they relate to human health and disease, will be considered, as will translational genetic studies applying fundamental genetic insight into the clinical setting.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Valerie Durrant

Ph.D., Director
Division of AIDS, Behavioral and Population Sciences (DABP)

Healthcare Delivery and Methodologies Integrated Review Group - HDM

HDM IRG: Studies may be multidisciplinary; may focus on the organization, population, community, family, or individual; and may cover a wide range of chronic or acute diseases or health issues across the lifespan. HDM also reviews studies which propose the development of new biostatistical approaches or new uses of existing methodologies relevant to behavioral and social science research.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Ross Shonat

Ph.D., Director
Division of Physiological and Pathological Sciences (DPPS)

Infectious Diseases and Immunology A Integrated Review Group - IDIA

The IDIA IRG reviews grant applications broadly focused on infectious diseases and immunology, covering virology and viral pathogenesis (including HIV), bacteriology and bacterial pathogenesis, fungal pathogenesis, parasitology and parasitic diseases, cellular and molecular immunology, and fundamental aspects of the innate and adaptive immune system.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Ross Shonat

Ph.D., Director
Division of Physiological and Pathological Sciences (DPPS)

Infectious Diseases and Immunology B Integrated Review Group - IDIB

The IDIB IRG reviews grant applications broadly focused on infectious diseases and immunology, addressing the immune system’s role in host interactions with infectious agents and the mechanisms and treatment of diseases when the immune system has a major role, including autoimmunity, immune-mediated diseases, and immune tolerance. Also included are basic science, pre-clinical, and clinical studies of the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS associated pathogens and cancers, co-infection with other infectious disease, and co-morbidities associated with chronic infections of HIV.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Delia Olufokunbi Sam

Ph.D., Director
Division of Neuroscience, Development and Aging (DNDA)

Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive Neuroscience Integrated Review Group - IFCN

The ten study sections comprising the Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG review applications within a very wide range of neuroscience research aimed at furthering our understanding of how the nervous system is organized and functions at an integrative, systems level. Specific areas reviewed by the IFCN IRG include: studies of the neural basis of emotional and motivational behavior; regulation of function, at the systems level, by neuroendocrine and neuroimmune influences; the analysis of system function under varying behavioral states, such as sleep and hibernation; the basis of biological rhythms; the maintenance of homeostasis; chemosensation, hearing, balance, touch, somatosensation, and visual perception; motor systems and sensorimotor integration; the integration of multisensory information; the neurobiological basis of learning, memory and other cognitive processes; computational and theoretical models of cognitive processes; mechanisms underlying neural coding of complex stimuli (e.g., pattern recognition, spatial transformations, speech perception); and attention and its effects on information processing in the nervous system. Research proposed in applications reviewed by study sections in the IFCN IRG may have relevance to disorders or disease processes, but the emphasis would be on the effect of the process on the structure or function of the system under investigation, rather than on the disease process itself.

In addition to this IRG, the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] and Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] IRGs within CSR focus on the review of neuroscience-related applications, and the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRGh also has some shared interests with the IFCN IRG. Please see the descriptions and shared interest statements of these IRGs for a complete description of their review venues.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Raymond Jacobson

Ph.D., Director
Division of Basic and Integrative Biological Sciences (DBIB)

Interdisciplinary Molecular Sciences and Training Integrated Review Group - IMST

The scientific areas are broad and include: bioengineering, biochemistry, biophysics, cancer biology, cell biology, chemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. IMST reviews most of the fellowship applications (F30, F31, F32, F33, etc.) and small business (SBIR/STTR) grant applications (R41, R42, R43, R44, etc.) that have a scientific/technological focus appropriate for one of the current molecular science IRGs, specifically Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics (BCMB), Bioengineering Sciences & Technologies (BST), Cell Biology (CB), Genes, Genomes & Genetics (GGG), and Oncology 1 – Basic & Translational (OBT). Research grant applications (R01, R03, R15, R21, etc.) focused on enabling tools and technologies, as well as a significant portion of other crosscutting applications (P01, P41, S10, etc.) are also reviewed in IMST.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Delia Olufokunbi Sam

Ph.D., Director
Division of Neuroscience, Development and Aging (DNDA)

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Neuroscience Integrated Review Group - MDCN

Excitable cells, in addition to neural cells, include endocrine and neuroendocrine cells, pancreatic beta-cells, chromaffin cells, muscle cells, neuromuscular junctions, etc. Areas of interest include the functional characteristics of ion channels, the mechanisms by which extra- and intracellular signals are transduced and the functional characteristics of the transducers themselves, general mechanisms underlying the process of cell death, analyses of neural cell lineage, factors that specify or influence neuronal migration pathways or axonal pathfinding, processes that involve the maturation of neurons and glia, the formation of patterns and boundaries that lead to the development of adult brain regions and nuclei, and other aspects of the basic cellular and molecular physiology of neurons and glia. Applications reviewed in the MDCN IRG include those relevant to disorders or injuries, but their emphasis lies more in revealing the basic biological processes that underlie or may be altered in these disorders than in treating the disorder or its manifestations.

In addition to this IRG, the Integrative, Functional, and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN], the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] and the Emerging Technology and Training in Neuroscience [ETTN] IRGs within CSR focus on the review of neuroscience-related applications. Please see the descriptions and shared interest statements of these IRGs for a complete description of their review venues.

 

Study Sections

Dr. John Bowers

Ph.D., Director
Division of Translational and Clinical Sciences (DTCS)

Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences Integrated Review Group - MOSS

These structural systems and their components are the basis for the organization of the study sections of this IRG and are described according to the following topical areas: skeleton, spine, bone, connective tissue, extracellular matrix, and their related diseases/disorders; dental/oral and craniofacial and their related diseases/disorders; skeletal muscle, limb, and their related diseases/disorders; joints and their related diseases/disorders, including rheumatic diseases; skin and its related diseases/disorders. Autoimmune diseases are specifically included. For these topical areas, the studies considered range from molecular genetics and stem cell research to animal models and clinical trials. For each major topical area, the research applications may include studies of: basic biology, including growth, development, maturation, and aging; biomaterials for prostheses/orthotics and implants; pathogenesis and therapeutics; physical rehabilitation; exercise; mechanobiology/biomechanics; injury and repair, including adaptation, plasticity, degeneration, and regeneration; diagnostic markers and biomarkers; cell and gene-based therapies; and clinical outcomes and trials.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Raymond Jacobson

Ph.D., Director
Division of Basic and Integrative Biological Sciences (DBIB)

Oncology – Basic Translational Integrated Review Group - OBT

Specifically, the OBT IRG reviews research grant applications related to chemical and environmental induced carcinogenesis, cancer genetics, tumor biology, oncogenic transformation, regulation of tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, mechanisms of interactions between tumor and host system, and pathological approaches to oncogenesis.

 

Study Sections

Dr. John Bowers

Ph.D., Director
Division of Translational and Clinical Sciences (DTCS)

Oncology – Translational Clinical Integrated Review Group - OTC

The OTC IRG will consider applications involving translational and clinical investigations including clinical trials that encompass cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Specifically, the OTC IRG reviews research grant applications related to immune therapies for cancer; the translation of cancer research to clinical practice; chemoprevention; and the development of biomarkers/signatures for tumor detection and diagnosis.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Valerie Durrant

Ph.D., Director
Division of AIDS, Behavioral and Population Sciences (DABP)

Population Sciences and Epidemiology Integrated Review Group - PSE

The Population Sciences and Epidemiology [PSE] IRG reviews crosscutting research relating to: the distribution of health conditions in human populations in relation to time, place, environmental exposures, personal characteristics or behaviors and the broader sociodemographic contexts in which health and health-related behaviors are embedded; the determinants of the etiologic pathways to diseases, using the full range of epidemiologic inquiry, including neuroimaging, molecular, genetic, laboratory, demographic, observational or clinical measures within the context of an epidemiologic or demographic study design; prevention trials in all settings; transmission of disease; laboratory-based research when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that largely already developed; and development and improvement of research designs and methodologies addressing epidemiologic and demographic questions in public health and clinical medicine. The intent is to cluster epidemiologic and demographic applications for review.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Valerie Durrant

Ph.D., Director
Division of AIDS, Behavioral and Population Sciences (DABP)

Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior Integrated Review Group - RPHB

Emphasis may be placed on individual behavior, interpersonal relations, or group contexts. Populations studied may include clinic, community-diagnosed, symptomatic and high-risk groups, and research may be concentrated on specific age groups or address questions of change or transition across the life course. Interventions may be purely behavioral, or may involve non-behavioral elements such as pharmacological treatments and devices. Specific areas of interest include (but are not limited to): cognitive and affective processes and markers of disease and illness, gene-environment interactions as they affect individual behavior; behavioral and pharmacologic interventions; risk and protective processes and models, intra- and interpersonal interventions; social development and interpersonal processes, aggressive behavior and violence, and prevention and intervention methodology; intervention and risk factor modification studies, interactions between social and psychological processes and disease management; psychological and biobehavioral responses to disease screening and management; rehabilitation of conditions associated with psychological, physical, communicative, and social disability; and social, cognitive, and affective conditions and processes that influence disease and disorder across the lifespan.

 

Study Sections

Dr. John Bowers

Ph.D., Director
Division of Translational and Clinical Sciences (DTCS)

Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and Bioengineering Integrated Review Group - SBIB

The Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging, and Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG will review applications for research grants that address topics in a variety of areas at the interface between a physical science or engineering and biomedical or clinical research.

 

Study Sections

Dr. Valerie Durrant

Ph.D., Director
Division of AIDS, Behavioral and Population Sciences (DABP)

Social and Community Influences on Health Integrated Review Group - SCI

 

 

Study Sections

Dr. John Bowers

Ph.D., Director
Division of Translational and Clinical Sciences (DTCS)

Vascular and Hematology Integrated Review Group - VH

The Vascular Biology study sections are organized around the themes of vascular hemodynamics and hypertension, neural and integrative systems physiology, inflammation and atherosclerosis, and vascular cell and molecular biology. Hematological study sections consider research applications comprising basic and clinical studies focused on normal and abnormal hematopoiesis, blood cells including red cells, granulocytes, monocytes, leukocytes and their diseases and mechanisms of hemostasis and thrombosis. Evaluation of single site clinical studies of hematologic disorders will be considered in a separate special emphasis panel as needed.

 

Study Sections

Last updated: 09/09/2024 14:23