Title: Restructuring of Study Sections: ComputationalStructural Biology Signaling BiologyBiochemistry Don S
1Restructuring of Study SectionsComputatio
nal/Structural BiologySignaling
Biology/Biochemistry Don Schneider, PhDAugust
2006National Institutes of
HealthDepartment of Health and Human Services
2Principles
- Be guided by Core Values of NIH peer review
(fair, expert, and timely peer review free from
influence/conflict) - Monitor study sections continuously (rosters,
meetings, and summary statements) - Change study sections as the science changes
(involve all stakeholders)
3Background
- Review Panels Biochemistry, Physical
Biochemistry, and Physiological Chemistry closed
fall 2004 - Growing numbers of computational and structural
biology applications - Concerns expressed by members of professional
societies about perceptions that degree of
clustering is low
4Current Review Statusof computational and
enzymatic applications in biochemistry/biophysics
cluster
- Special emphasis panel (ZRG1 BCMB-Q) reviews
about 45 applications a cycle in which
computational technologies are applied to
biochemical/biophysical questions - Chartered Macromolecular Structure and Function
study sections (-A, -B, and -C) handle about 300
applications a cycle with clustering of metals
and mechanistic enzymology in MSFA
5Computational/Structural BiologyWorking Group
Roster
- David Baker, U Washington
- Helen Berman, Rutgers U
- William DeGrado, U Penn
- David Eisenberg, UCLA
- Barry Honig, Columbia U
- Judith Klinman, UC Berkeley
- Greg Petsko, Brandeis U
- Douglas Rees, Caltech
- JoAnne Stubbe, MIT
- NIH staff Don Schneider (CSR), John Bowers
(CSR), and Janna Wehrle (NIGMS)
6NIH Information Shared with Working Group Members
- Links to CSR study section guidelines
- Recent numbers of applications and master lists
for selected study sections - - MSF-A, -B, -C
- - ZRG1 BCMB-Q
- Possible options and redacted comments by members
on options
7Consensus of Telephone Conference Call (August 3,
2006)
- Integrate Q into MSF study sections
- Form two new study sections
- - A, -B, -C remain quite the same
- - D cluster computational applications, more
emphasis on experimental validation - - E cluster mechanistic enzymology applications
8Possible Guidelines Macromolecular Structure and
Function D (MSFD)
- Computational analysis of questions in
macromolecular biophysics - Sequence-structure-function relationships
- Molecular modeling including interactions at
different resolutions - Biophysical theories, simulations, and
complementary experiments
9Possible Guidelines Macromolecular Structure and
Function E (MSFE)
- Mechanistic enzymology
- Enzyme inhibitors and drug chemistry
- Computational and mechanism-based studies of
enzymes and inhibitors - Macromolecular aspects of metabolic pathways
10Current Review Statusof Signaling Applications
- Cellular Signaling and Dynamics (CSD) handles
about 80 applications a cycle - Across CSR about 800 signaling applications a
cycle, with modest clustering outside of CSD
11Signaling Biology/Biochemistry Working Group
Roster
- Richard Cerione, Cornell
- Joan Heller Brown, UCSD
- Jack Dixon, UCSD
- Henrik Dohlman, UNC
- Heidi Hamm, Vanderbilt, ASBMB President
- Brian Kobilka, Stanford
- Richard Neubig, U Michigan
- NIH Representatives Don Schneider (CSR), Noni
Byrnes (CSR), and Richard Anderson (NIGMS)
12NIH Information Shared with Working Group Members
- Links to CSR study section guidelines
- Recent numbers of applications and master lists
for selected study sections - Cell Signaling and Dynamics
- Membrane Biology and Protein Processing
- Nuclear Dynamics and Transport
- About 100 signaling applications a cycle are in
Cell Biology cluster (perhaps two study sections) - Possible options and redacted comments by members
on options
13Consensus of Telephone Conference Call (July 24,
2006)
- Create a new signaling study section focused on
molecular and integrative aspects of signaling - Restructure CSD to retain cell cycle, mitosis,
etc, but add imaging of signaling complexes - Seed rosters with members of the Working Group
- Launch study sections for Feb/Mar receipt (Oct
2007 council)
14Possible Guidelines Cellular Signaling and
Regulatory Systems (CSRS)
- Integrative cell physiology
- Mitosis, meiosis, cell cycle
- Cell differentiation, transformation, growth, and
death - Associated proteolytic mechanisms
- Imaging of signaling complexes
15Possible GuidelinesMolecular and Integrative
Signal Transduction (MIST)
- Molecular mechanisms of signal transduction,
including G-protein and 7TM receptors - Protein kinases associated with signaling
- Protein phosphatases associated with signaling
- Second messenger mechanisms including lipid
signaling molecules - Simulations of signaling cascades/mechanisms
16Future Plans
- Seek approval
- Constitute rosters
- Launch study sections for winter receipt dates
(October 2007 council)
17PRAC Discussants
- Leslie Leinwand
- Daria Mochly-Rosen
- Louise Ramm