Biosensing

The Biosensing Program supports innovative, transformative, and insightful investigations of fundamental problems with broad long term impact and applications that require novel use of bio-inspired engineering principles and sophisticated devices to meet the engineering and technology needs of the nation. The program is targeting research in the area of the monitoring, identification, and/or quantification of biological phenomena and will support potential technological breakthroughs that exist at the intersection of engineering, life science, and information technology. Projects submitted to the Program must advance both engineering and life sciences. Projects in the program may range from single investigator to multi-investigator collaborative research efforts. The development of these novel principles and devices will require highly collaborative interactions between engineers, life scientists, and experts in nanotechnology, biomaterials, bioinformatics, and the chemical and physical sciences. The program recognizes the important role of education and workforce development specifically relevant to the multidisciplinary nature of the area of biosensing. Interdisciplinary teams are essential and must be fostered from discovery to application. Specific Objectives The Biosensing program primarily supports innovative fundamental and applied research with applications to the biomedical, food safety, energy, environmental, and security needs: New paradigms in the identification and detection of existing or emerging pathogenic micro-organisms, unknown toxins, and viral threat agents Highly sensitive and discriminative biosensing New approaches in integrated sensor systems, probe development, and actuators Novel robust and easy to operate sensor systems with a highly selective response to multiple analytes under variable conditions, with significantly reduced false positives and false negative responses and increased sensitivity Original ideas in the development of novel target recognition strategies, including but not limited to: nanoscale structures with variable selectivity, engineered proteins, signaling aptamers, ionophores, natural and artificial ion-channels, bio-designed and molecular-imprinted polymers Smart field deployable molecular sentinels for the monitoring of food, water and air quality, environment, community, industrial, and commercial structures Cell and tissue-based sensors to monitor environmental, physiological, and genetic responses Development of fundamental knowledge for better understanding and processing of multifunctional materials for biosensing applications, with predefined physical, chemical or biological characteristics Bio-compatible and Stimuli-responsive materials demonstrating biosensing capabilities Novel bio-based cyber approaches Examples of innovative research in biosensing technologies: Fundamental understanding and study of bio-macromolecules (proteins, peptides, etc.) confinement and orientation at the micro- and nano-interfaces for high-throughput biosensing applications Plasmonic nanostructures Sensors based on artificial recognition elements and synthetic peptides; new biorecognition strategies and elements New molecular sensors capable of monitoring biological structures interaction (protein-protein interactions, cell-to-cell talk, etc.) New approaches that allow for highly selective and reversible recognition events (i.e. methods for triggering dissociation of analytes from antibodies) for extending continuous monitoring technologies Molecular beacon aptamer probes and quantum-dots for intracellular protein monitoring with improved delivery methods Combining of different sensing platforms (electrochemical/optical/mass sensitive, etc.) for enhanced data acquisition in biosensing applications mRNA monitoring using molecular beacon DNA probes that bridge biochemical assays and in vivo analyses Biocomputing based on bioanalytical processes Other novel approaches are welcome as well.The duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years. The typical award size for the program is $100,000 for individual investigators or $200,000 for multiple investigators per year (including indirect cost). Small equipment proposals of less than $100,000 will also be considered and may be submitted during these windows. Any proposal received outside the announced dates will be returned without review.The duration of CAREER 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/pubs/2008/nsf08051/nsf08051.jsp.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, available below. Please refer to the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), January 2009, (NSF 09-1) when you prepare your proposal. The PAPPG is available for download at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0929.