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Restructuring of Study Sections: Computational/Structural Biology Signaling Biology/Biochemistry Don Schneider, PhD August 2006 National Institutes of Health Department of Health and Human Services

Principles 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)

Background 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

Current Review Status of 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

Computational/Structural Biology Working 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)

NIH 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

Consensus 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

Possible 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

Possible 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

Current Review Status of 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

Signaling 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)

NIH 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

Consensus 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)

Possible 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

Possible Guidelines: Molecular 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

Future Plans Seek approval Constitute rosters Launch study sections for winter receipt dates (October 2007 council)

PRAC Discussants Leslie Leinwand Daria Mochly-Rosen Louise Ramm