Neurodifferentiation, Plasticity, Regeneration and Rhythmicity Study Section – NDPR

Topics

• Mechanisms controlling cell motility, directional migration, and growth cone extension
• Axonal outgrowth, fasciculation, branching, and guidance; cell polarity; dendrites and dendritic spines; selection of synaptic partners, including formation of topographic and laminar-specific projections
• Synapse formation and plasticity; initial formation and maturation of pre- and postsynaptic elements; factors regulating the elaboration and retraction of arbors and processes, including neurotrophins, cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and physiological activity; synaptic changes in response to activity, the physiological environment, such as hormonal changes, and the external environment, including light and temperature cycles.
• Synaptic plasticity and biological rhythms: neurobiology of circadian and other rhythms in activity; synchronized neuronal oscillations involved in CNS function
• Regeneration of connections; factors that promote or direct axon or dendritic sprouting, axon or dendritic re-growth, re-formation of dendritic spines, and re-establishment of synaptic connections following injury; factors that inhibit these processes; development of cellular and molecular tools and strategies to overcome inhibitory factors and to promote regeneration

Shared Interests and Overlaps

Neurogenesis and Cell Fate (NCF): There is shared interest in neurodevelopment. Applications focused on early determination in the nervous system as well as neural stem cell biology may be reviewed in NCF whereas applications focused on later differentiation in the nervous system and related aspects of plasticity and regeneration may be reviewed in NDPR.

Cellular and Molecular Biology of Glia (CMBG): There is shared interest in the function of glia, particularly in the area of glia-neuron interactions. When the focus is on the neuronal function and how it is influenced by glia, the application may be reviewed by NDPR.

Development-1 (Dev1) and Development-2 [DEV2]: There is shared interest in development. DEV1 and DEV2 review topics related to those considered in NDPR but with a focus on structures outside of the nervous system.

Cellular Mechanisms in Aging and Development (CMAD): There are shared interests in development and aging with CMAD. When the focus is on mechanisms and events within the nervous system, the applications may be reviewed by NDPR. When the focus is on broader mechanisms involving the whole organism or structures primarily outside the nervous system, application may be reviewed by CMAD

Biology and Development of the Eye (BDE): NDPR and BDE share an interest in retinal development and regeneration. Applications focused on ganglion cell axons outside the retina (optic nerve, visual cortex) and synaptogenesis are reviewed in NDPR. Applications about ganglion cell development, ganglion cell neuroprotection, and cell death in retina are reviewed in BDE.

Developmental Brain Disorders (DBD): There is shared interest in development. Applications with focus on human development in the context of diseases may be reviewed in DBD whereas applications involving basic molecular and cellular mechanisms in a wide variety of scientific models may be reviewed in NDPR.

Clinical Neuroplasticity and Neurotransmitters (CNNT): There is shared interest in neuroplasticity and regeneration. Applications with a greater clinical and translational focus may be reviewed in CNNT while applications centered predominantly on basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptogenesis, plasticity, and regeneration may be reviewed in NDPR.

Pathophysiology of Eye Disease (PED1) and (PED2): There is shared interest in the retina and optic nerve. Application focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying axon outgrowth, synaptogenesis, and regeneration may be reviewed by NDPR. More translational and clinical-oriented studies may be reviewed by PED1 or PED2.

Learning, Memory and Decision Neuroscience (LMDN): There is shared interest in synaptic plasticity and development. Applications with a focus on systems neuroscience and functional circuitry may be reviewed in LMDN while applications involving primarily cellular and molecular mechanisms may be reviewed in NDPR.

Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Neuroimmunology, Rhythms, and Sleep (BNRS): There is shared interest in circadian rhythms and other rhythmic systems. When the focus is on cellular or molecular mechanisms, particularly at the sub-cellular level, applications may be reviewed by NDPR. When there is a more systems level focus, applications may be reviewed by BNRS.

Molecular Neurogenetics (MNG): There is a shared interest in the mechanisms and function of molecular genetics, including cellular genomics, transcriptional and translational regulation, and epigenetics. When the focus is on the molecular mechanisms of a genetic process, the application may be reviewed by MNG. In contrast, when the focus is on the function or involvement of molecular genetics in differentiation, plasticity, or regeneration of the nervous system, the application may be reviewed by NDPR.

There are shared interests in circadian rhythms with Cellular Signaling and Regulatory Systems (CSRS). Applications that emphasize molecular and cellular biology of circadian rhythms are reviewed in CSRS. Applications that emphasize on neurobiology of circadian rhythm regulation are reviewed in NDPR.

There are shared interests in synapse formation and plasticity with Neuronal Communications (NC).  Applications with an emphasis on development, regeneration, or circadian rhythms are reviewed in NDPR. Applications with a greater emphasis on adult synaptic function and underlying mechanisms such as vesicular trafficking, exocytosis or cytoskeletal dynamics are reviewed in NC.