Biophotonics

The Biophotonics program supports innovative photonic research for applications in human health.Basic research and innovation in photonics that is very fundamental in science and engineering is needed to lay the foundation for new technologies beyond those that are mature and ready for application in medical diagnostics and therapies. Developing molecularly specific sensing (molecular photonics), imaging, and monitoring systems with high sensitivity and resolution would be an enormous accomplishment with powerful applications to both biology and medicine. Advances are needed in contrast and targeting agents, ultra-thin probes, wide field imaging, and rapid biomarker screening.Low cost and minimally invasive medical diagnostics and therapies will require novel integration of photonics, molecular biology, and material science. Examples of topics are:Low Coherence Sensing at the Nanoscale - - Low coherence enhanced backscattering (LEBS), n-dimensional elastic light scattering, and angle- resolved low coherence interferometry for early cancer detection (dysplasia)Macromolecule Markers - - Innovative methods for labeling of macromolecules, new compositions of matter/methods of fabrication of multi-color probes such as might be used for in-vitro marking and detection of specific pathological cells Multi-probe Molecular Manipulations - - New optical approaches that permit specific molecular action on cells which conjointly bind two or more different probes with specificity for different biomolecular markersNeuro-photonics - - Development of new biocompatible detection technologies that could serve as massively parallel interfaces for communicating with networks of cells such as brain tissue slices. Studies of photon activation of neurons at the interface of nanomaterials attached to cellsProposals should address the novelty of the concept being proposed, compared to previous work in the field. Also, it is important to address why the novelty might be important in terms of engineering science, as well as to also project the potential impact on society and /or industry of success in the research. The information requested in this paragraph should be included, as a minimum, in the Project Summary of each proposal.The duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years. The average annual award size for the program is $100,000 for individual investigators and $200,000 for multiple investigators. Any proposal received outside the announced dates will be returned without review.The duration of Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program awards is five years. The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year. Please see the following URL for more information:http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503214 Proposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements may be submitted at any time, but must be discussed with the program director before submission.Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) replace the SGER program. Please note that proposals of these types must be discussed with the program director before submission. Further details are available in the PAPPG download. .