Cellular and Molecular Technologies – CMT
The CMT study section reviews applications focused on the development and application of new tools, methods, and emerging techniques for the study of cellular processes, including technologies to culture, manipulate, engineer, image, and characterize cells at the cellular or molecular level.
The application of established tools or methods to a biological problem is beyond the scope of CMT. Emphasis is on the development of new tools and techniques, where an appreciation of cellular and/or molecular processes is essential.
Review Dates
Topics
- Microphysiological systems, including living cell devices, organoids, and three-dimensional cell culture platforms
- Synthesis of reagents and probes for the study of cellular and molecular processes, including fluorescent, luminescent, optogenetic, and nanoparticle probes
- New tools and methods for cell engineering, direct measurement of cell function, and extracellular manipulations on cells, including synthetic biology
- Microfluidic-based technologies for capturing and manipulating cells, including rare cell sorting and bioprinting applications
- New methods and techniques for growing, maintaining, and preserving cells, including bioreactors, cryobiology, and biostabilization/biopreservation
- Development and advancement of microscopy and high-resolution imaging technologies, including single molecule, super-resolution, near-field, optical coherence, and electron
Shared Interests and Overlaps
There are shared interests with Biomaterials and Biointerfaces (BMBI). Applications involving the interaction of cells with biomaterials may be assigned to CMT if the focus is on the cellular and molecular processes. Applications more focused on the development and characterization of biomaterials and biomimetics may be assigned to BMBI. Engineered tissues and microphysiological systems having a significant biomaterial component may be assigned to BMBI, whereas three-dimensional cell culture platforms may be assigned to CMT. Applications proposing the manipulation of cells may be assigned to CMT if the focus is on the cellular response, whereas BMBI may be more appropriate for applications focused on the biomaterial/ECM interactions.
There are shared interests with Instrumentation and Systems Development (ISD). Microscopy applications addressing high-resolution and super-resolution cellular microscopy may be assigned to CMT, whereas applications focused principally on hardware development may be assigned to ISD.
There are shared interests with Enabling Bioanalytical and Imaging Technologies (EBIT). Applications developing assays with a cell component may be assigned to CMT. Applications developing assays or technologies that are not cell-based may be assigned to EBIT.
In the area of microfluidics, there are shared interests both with ISD and 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 in nanomaterials with Innovations in Nanosystems and Nanotechnology (INN). Applications that focus on the use of nanomaterials to address cellular and molecular processes are reviewed in CMT. Applications that focus on material development and characterization are reviewed in INN.
