Instrumentation and Systems Development Study Section – ISD

Topics

• Analytical instrumentation: novel methods for improving throughput and/or reducing sample volumes in analytical techniques; optical methods; photonics; spectroscopy; lasers; acoustics; microfluidics; MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical-systems); microarrays; chemical methods, hardware and computer systems.
• Sensing devices: detection and sensing of single cells; biomarkers; environmental and toxic chemicals; biomedically relevant compounds and molecules; pre-clinical “lab-on-a-chip” sensing technology, and point-of-care diagnostics.
• Separation technologies: improvements and variations to classical techniques such as electrophoresis and chromatography; mass spectrometry; cell separations; DNA sequencing, microfluidics; nanotechnology.
• Automation and integration: design and development of both individual instrumentation modules and integrated systems for biological research or diagnostics.
• Micro/nanofabrication: Microfabricated and/or nanostructured devices and systems for use in biological research or diagnostics, and development for implantable microdevices.
• Development and application of microscope platforms, systems, and instrumentation

Shared Interests and Overlaps

There are shared interests with Biomaterials and Biointerfaces (BMBI). Applications that focus on device and biosensor development are assigned to ISD. Applications that focus on the biocompatibility and implantation of devices and biosensors are typically assigned to BMBI.

There are shared interests in MEMS and/or microfluidic devices, microdialysis technology, biosensors with Bioengineering and Tissue Engineering for Neuroscience (BTEN). Applications that emphasize non-neural tissues are reviewed in ISD. Applications that emphasize working with neural cells/tissues or in the contexts of nervous system function/repair are reviewed in BTEN. 

There are shared interests with Bioengineering, Technology, and Surgical Sciences (BTSS). Applications that have a substantial engineering or hardware component development are typically assigned to ISD. Applications that focus on developing and/or testing medical instrumentation, sensors, and tools in a clinical setting are typically assigned to BTSS.

There are shared interests with Cellular and Molecular Technologies (CMT). Microscopy applications focused principally on hardware development may be assigned to ISD, whereas applications addressing high-resolution and super-resolution cellular microscopy may be assigned to CMT.

In the area of microfluidics, there are shared interests both with CMT and Enabling Bioanalytical and Imaging Technologies (EBIT). Applications with a dominant microfluidic component, particularly engineered chip or point-of-care devices, may be assigned to ISD. Applications having a microfluidic component, but which are more strongly focused on a biochemical assay may be assigned to EBIT. Applications that use microfluidics to sort or capture cells may be assigned to CMT, particularly if an appreciation of cell or molecular biology is important.

There are shared interests with EBIT. Applications that focus on instrumentation and device development are typically assigned to ISD. Applications that focus more on developing methods for studying analytical tools for bioanalytical, chemical, or biophysical processes are typically assigned to EBIT.

There are shared interests with disease and organ-based IRGs. Applications that focus on the application rather that the development of tools and instruments to a disease or organ specific issue could be assigned to the relevant organ or disease IRG.

There are shared interests in biosensing development with Innovations in Nanosystems and Nanotechnology (INN). Applications that emphasize developing biosensing or technologies that are more device-based are reviewed in ISD. Applications that emphasize developing biosensing or technologies involving the development of novel nanostructures or functionalize nanoparticles are reviewed in INN.