Bioengineering of Neuroscience, Vision Technologies Study Section – BNVT
*Ends after October 2024 council round meetings
The Bioengineering of Neuroscience and Vision Technologies (BNVT) study section reviews applications to develop and utilize bioengineering, materials engineering, and computational approaches for studying the development, structure, function, or pathology of the nervous system. BNVT covers a wide range of technologies as applied to neural systems and to all tissues of the eye. Proposals need not be hypothesis driven if the emphasis is on technique development.
Review Dates
Topics
- Brain-computer interfaces and neuroprosthetics, including retinal prosthetics: hardware; signal processing, biofeedback
- Neuron culture systems and tissue models: microfluidics-based, MEMS-based, high-throughput compound screening platforms, two and three-dimensional substrates
- Fostering injured nerve regrowth: artificial nerve grafts, engineered matrices, scaffolds, stem cells
- Implantable electrodes, multi-electrode arrays, and biochemical microdialysis/sensors/nanoprobes: design and performance optimization, tissue response/biocompatibility analysis
- Invasive methods of experimental and therapeutic brain and nerve stimulation: electrical, optogenetic, other approaches
- Localization and monitoring of neural activity/epileptic seizure foci using invasive methods: implanted electrodes, EcoG
- NOTE- all vision technology applications, including those involving low vision assessment and rehabilitation, will now be reviewed by ETTN-P(81)/VIBT, with the exception of retinal prosthetic applications as listed above.
Shared Interests and Overlaps
Biomaterials and Biointerfaces (BMBI) also reviews biomaterials fabrication and optimization, tissue engineering, biomimetic culture systems, surface patterning and manipulation, implant biocompatibility, biosensors, MEMS and/or microfluidic devices, drug delivery systems proposals. Applications in these areas working with neural or ocular cells/tissues or in the contexts of nervous or visual system function/repair are appropriate for BNVT review.
Bioengineering, Technology, and Surgical Sciences (BTSS) also reviews engineering of cellular and tissue constructs/scaffolds, stem cell-based regeneration, implantable devices for drug delivery and nanotherapeutics, biosensors, MEMS devices, microarray proposals. Applications in these areas working with neural or ocular cells/tissues or in the contexts of nervous or visual system function/repair are appropriate for BNVT review. Applications in the areas of neurosurgical robotics, neurovascular fluid dynamics, and brain aneurysm or hydrocephalic stent design are appropriate for BTSS review.
Instrumentation and Systems Development (ISD) also reviews MEMS and/or microfluidic devices, microdialysis technology, biosensors proposals. Applications in these areas working with neural or ocular cells/tissues or in the contexts of nervous or visual system function/repair are appropriate for BNVT review.
There are shared interests with Emerging Imaging Technologies in Neuroscience (EITN), including: brain recording and stimulation in experimental and clinical contexts, e.g., monitoring and modulation of epileptic seizures. Applications in these areas in which invasive recording/stimulation modalities are used are suitable for BNVT whereas noninvasive modalities (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, ultrasound, etc.) are generally reviewed in EITN.
