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Meetings/Reviews
Upcoming Meetings/Reviews
Past Meetings/Reviews
First NASA & NCI Workshop on Sensors for Bio-Molecular
Signatures
June 2 - 4, 1999
Double Tree Hotel
Pasadena, CA
Purpose
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Cancer
Institute (NCI) are interested in the development of high impact, long-range
technologies in support of their individual missions. Hence, NASA's Office of
Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications (Code U) and the NCI's Office
of Technology and Industrial Relations are jointly sponsoring a workshop on
unconventional biomedical technologies.
The goal of this workshop is to bring together technologies that
are biologically inspired and will have a profound impact on the early detection
and treatment of cancer on one hand and the potential for revolutionizing space
exploration by empowering humans in space on the other hand. It is anticipated
that innovations and discussions highlighted in this meeting will contribute
to the definition of the second phase of the "Unconventional Innovations Program"
newly announced by the NCI at http://rcb.nci.nih.gov/uip.htm,
as well the NASA
Research Announcement in this area. The NCI has specific interests in sensing
the biomolecular signatures of cancer in the living body through non-intrusive
approaches, with particular interest in technology platforms that will directly
interface with targeted intervention strategies. NASA's priorities reflect the
opportunity for a future of space exploration enabled by a symbiosis between
the human explorer and a network of smart survivable space sensor systems modeled
upon the behaviors manifested by biological systems.
Organizing Committee:
The scientific program committee members are:
- Leon Alkalai, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- David Baltimore, California Institute of Technology (CIT)
- Carol Dahl, National Cancer Institute NCI)
- Minoo Dastor, NASA/JPL
- Dan Goldin, NASA
- Shaun Jones, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
- Richard Klausner, National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Steve Koonin, California Institute of Technology (CIT)
- Joan Vernikos, NASA
- Arnauld Nicogossian, NASA
The workshop organizing committee members are:
- Leon Alkalai, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Greg Bearman, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Benny Toomarian, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Carol Dahl, National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Minoo Dastor, NASA/JPL
- Richard Klausner, National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Joan Vernikos, NASA
Preliminary Sessions
Five major sessions in the following areas are planned:
- Recognition of biomolecular signatures
- Micro- or nano-systems for sensing
- Molecular imaging
- Signal amplification
- Information and data processing
Possible paper topics include but are not limited to:
Recognition of biomolecular signatures
- Aptamers
- Nucleic acid binding compounds and small molecule drugs
- Self-polymerizing complements
Micro- or nano-systems for sensing
- Nanorobots / microexplorers
- Micro-lab on a chip
- Implantable sensors
- Polymeric structures-dendrimers
- Biomimetic-artificial nose, artificial immune system
Molecular imaging
- Scanning carbon nanotubes
- Optical-infrared/visible/MWIR/LWIR
- Optical coherence tomography
- Fiber optic sensors/imagers
Signal amplification
- Signal processing tools for enhancing signal to noise
- "Smart" image enhancing agents
- Quantum dots, fluorescent markers
- Bioluminescence
Information and data processing
- Innovative information processing technologies (sensor fusion)
- Understanding defect mechanisms
- Understanding self-organization and repair
- Models of biomolecular interactions
JPL Annual Open House
JPL is holding its annual open house on Saturday and Sunday, June
5-6, 1999. This is a great opportunity to visit JPL and learn more about our
missions and activities. This event is open to the public. For additional information,
click here.
NASA/NCI Collaborative Working Group on Bio-molecular Systems
and Technology
April 13-14, 2000
Participants
- David Baltimore, Ph.D., Chair, presented Charge
- Define opportunities and critical research directions to develop
technologies and informatics tools to enable minimally invasive
detection, diagnosis, management of disease and injury.
- Daniel Goldin - NASA’s Vision for Information, Nanodevice, and Bio-molecular
Technologies
- Richard Klausner, M.D. - NCI’s Vision for Disease Detection and
Intervention
- NCI Clinical Objectives - Robert Wittes, M.D.
- NASA Clinical Objectives - Richard Williams, M.D.
- Bio-signatures and Molecular Monitoring - Charles Cantor, Ph.D.
- Nanostructures and Nanosystems - Charles Lieber, Ph.D.
- Biologically-inspired Nanosystems - George Whitesides, Ph.D.
- Signal Acquisition - Ronald Coifman, Ph.D.
- Bioinformatics - Michael Liebman, Ph.D.
- Defining a Roadmap for Innovation - Curt Carlson, PhD
Summary
Discussions of the Working Group confirmed that to meet objectives
of NASA and NCI, development of new tools and strategies for:
- signal generation/enhancement
- signal acquisition
- signal processing
- analysis and interpretation
- intervention
compatible with integrated capabilities for non-invasive detection
of, and response to, signatures of disease in the living body.
Specific recommendations from the Working Group related to the approach
NASA and NCI might effectively take to promote discovery toward an integrated
system included the following:
- Fundamental research should be stressed, particularly at the early
stages
- Early research should focus on generic problems
- Efforts should promote multidisciplinary teams
Specific recommendations for areas of initial priority for scientific
exploration included:
- Recognition strategies for coincident detection of elements of complex
signatures
- New materials and chemistries for recognition/sensing, and signal
generation
- Biocompatible signal amplification
- Dynamic monitoring capabilities
- Diagnostic feature definition and extraction tools
- Approaches for converting generic diagnostics to generic therapeutics
Memorandum of Understanding
- Objectives
- Expand opportunities for cross agency program participation
- Establish collaborative science planning
- Establish mechanisms for joint funding in these areas:
- Sensing technologies
- Bioinformatics
- Disease intervention strategies
- NCI has lead role in cancer research activities.
- NASA has lead role in bioastronautics research activities.
- Cooperative activities:
- Development, implementation of scientific planning process to
identify areas of opportunity and infrastructure
- Future workshops on Sensors for Biomolecular Signatures
- Web-based Bio-Molecular Systems Technology Forum to foster scientific
community development
- Focused grant, contract supplements from NASA to NCI programs
- Joint definition, funding, management, or user access programs
for technology infrastructure
- Exchange of relevant technology
Program Description
NASA and NCI jointly sponsor a solicitation targeting fundamental research
in a limited set of key areas in support of the long term goal of developing
systems integrating non-invasive detection of the earliest signatures
of disease with diagnosis and intervention. Areas targeted in the initial
solicitation included:
- Novel molecular recognition chemistries, agents, and devices suitable
for in vivo use. Priorities include novel chemistries, agents
and devices that have multiple or all of the following characteristics:
- enhanced specificity
- enhanced sensitivity
- cross the cell membrane in vivo
- access deep tissues in vivo
- bioavailable and biocompatible
- enable coincident detection of multiple parameters
- have methods for rapid generation of recognition agents for newly
defined targets
- Novel strategies for in vivo signal generation and amplification.
Priorities include approaches that can generate detectable signal
in deep tissues, signal amplification schemes that are biocompatible
in vivo, and new materials or chemistries that enable such
approaches.
- Non-invasive dynamic signal acquisition systems. Priorities include
systems suitable for non-invasive signal acquisition from deep tissues
and systems of reduced scale and therefore payload suitable for manned
space missions.
- New tools for feature definition and extraction. Priorities include
generic computational and mathematical approaches to distinguish and
extract signal, approaches to dynamic feature extraction to enable
dynamic decision making, and demonstrations of the power of such computational
tools on existing data sets.
- New approaches to create an interface between in vivo detection
and targeted intervention. Priorities include technology platforms,
especially nanostructures/devices and novel materials and composites
that support linked detection and intervention as well as, approaches
to converting recognition/detection in to intervention.
The final selection of targeted areas and expanded definition of priority
areas was based on consultation with Working Group members and other
experts in the field as needed. Proposers were asked to address how
the proposed technologies could ultimately enable technology platforms
that support non-invasive detection of the early signatures of disease
coupled to targeted interventions. The need for multidisciplinary collaboration
was emphasized by adding a requirement for committed expertise from
the physical sciences or engineering along with an appropriate area
of biomedical research.
Implementation
NASA and NCI established a joint program announcement in "Fundamental
Technologies for the Development of Biomolecular Sensors". Proposals
are solicited through a Broad Agency Announcement. NCI manages the receipt
and review of the applications, soliciting input from NASA on potential
qualified reviewers, and with representation from the NASA and NCI programmatic
monitors at the review. Awards are made as either grants or contracts,
as appropriate, in the context of the:
- Need for programmatic direction
- Balance of fundamental versus applied research
- Qualifications of the proposer
Each agency selects projects that are of specific agency interest and
funds them directly. Proposals of mutual interest are negotiated or
co-funded through interagency agreement. NASA and NCI each designate
a single agency representative as Program Manager for the collaboration.
The NASA and NCI Program Managers work closely together to promote joint
management, information sharing, and the success of the agency specific
and joint programs. Collaborative management includes:
- Joint review of progress reports
- Joint development and attendance at Principal Investigator's (PI)
meetings including PIs from related programs
- Cost sharing of PI meetings
- Opportunities for hosting PI meetings at NASA and/or NCI sites
- Opportunities for joint site visits
The intent is to foster communication and collaboration between investigators
in all of the NASA and NCI programs in biomolecular sensors. To enhance
the value of the individual programs NASA/NCI sponsor, where appropriate,
joint PI meetings or topic specific meetings.
Future Plans
Proposed future plans include the issuance of a solicitations on an
approximate biannual basis beginning in 2002 with similar scope and
dollar commitment to capture new ideas that mature over the course of
the this year based on NASA and NCI's expressed interest in this area.
The scientific progress for the investments in the "Fundamental Technologies
for the Development of Biomolecular Sensors" will be evaluated approximately
18 months following the award of the first grants. At that point a decision
will be made as to whether there should be additional investments made
to provide:
- Further support for the fundamental research areas targeted in the
initial solicitation.
- Support for fundamental research in newly defined areas.
- Support to address specific technical challenges in molecular detection.
- Support for overall systems or partial systems that integrate fundamentals
and components.
In addition, NASA and NCI will continue to build upon this initial
collaborative investment. Information sharing, regular interactions
between the designated NCI and NASA liaison/project managers, as well
as the generation of new joint investments will be the cornerstones
to building upon this collaboration.
Biomolecular Systems Research Program Kick-Off PI Meeting
October 11, 2001
The BioMolecular Systems Research Program will hold an integrated kick-off
meeting with intramural PIs from ARC and JPL on Thursday, October 11, from
9:00AM to 2:00PM Pacific time in Building 213, room 261.
A multipoint videoconference will be hosted from the JPL bridge and will tie
in PIs and participants from ARC, JPL and HQ. Participants from JPL
will be using videoconferencing room 303-313.
Enclosed is a quad chart specific to each PI's selected proposal. These charts
were initially generated as a response to a request by D. Goldin. It is anticipated
that these charts will be used in the future to satisfy other HQ requests
related to this program. Each PI is requested to submit a PowerPoint presentation
that includes an update of this chart along with any other supporting material
to address the following:
- Introduction of PI and team
- Project Description / Innovative Claims
- Milestones and Deliverables
- Status to Date
- Targeted Plans
- Budget Input (not to be presented at the meeting - for use by Program
Manager only)
Each PI will have 5-10 minutes to speak with a 5-minute question
and answer session following. Please be reminded that this is a high-level
status briefing only. All PIs are requested to email a digital copy
of their presentation to Julianna Fishman <jfishman@mail.arc.nasa.gov>
by close of business Thursday, October 4. Hard and soft copy presentation
packages will be assembled and sent to participating sites.
An agenda of the meeting is currently being worked.
A draft will be sent to all PIs and participants early next week. Please contact
me if you have questions regarding this meeting or if you have a time conflict.
Biomolecular Systems Research Program Quarterly Review (Videoconference
for Intramural Principal Investigators)
February 11, 2002
Participants
- John Hines, Program Manager and Darrel Jan, Deputy Program Manager:
BSRP Program Management Overview including flight and ground-based
research goals, Intramural objectives and elements, FY01 awards, administrative
structure and upcoming milestones.
- Peter Siegel, JPL-NASA; Monolithically fabricated nanoconverters:
THz RF-to-DC power conversion for driving nanodevices
- David Summers, ARC-NASA; A new ultrasensitive technique for the
detection of organisms and their biomarkers
- Victor Stolc, ARC-NASA; 1) Rapid sequencing single molecules of
nucleic acid, DNA, or RNA by electrophoresis of the charged polymers
through a solid-state nanopore channel of molecular dimensions. 2)
Development of a solid surface chip that can sequence up to 100,000
different molecules of nucleic acid, DNA or RNA by using high-density
oligonucleotide arrays and Pyrosequencing methods.
- Leslie Prufert-Bebout, ARC-NASA; Development of a core capability
to produce and manipulate small scale microbial communities as defined
"test systems", and to implement micro-scale technologies
for tracking population, process and product changes in these test
systems as a function of experimental manipulations.
- Andrew Pohorille, ARC-NASA; 1) Computational techniques for reconstruction
and discovery of metabolic, signal transduction and evolutionary pathways.
2) Development of NASA-specific bioinformatics environment.
- Meyya Meyyappan, ARC-NASA; Development of high-resolution (nanoscale)
imaging capabilities to image biological samples to image AFM.
- Cun-Zheng Ning, ARC-NASA; Development of miniaturized far-infrared
sources for biomolecular spectroscopy
- Jay Nadeau, JPL-NASA; Development of Miniature Electronic Dynamic
Ion Channel Sensor (MEDICS)
- Eric Mjolsness, JPL-NASA; Development of kinetic models of protein-protein
interactions and of gene expression networks to DNA micro-array data.
- Chris McKay, ARC-NASA; Fluorometric detection of microorganisms
on surfaces.
- Eduardo Almeida, ARC-NASA; Development of biosensor nanovesicles.
- Shoudan Liang, ARC-NASA; Development of multidimensional NMR and
associated computational techniques that will detect the level of
as many metabolites as possible in vivo in a high-throughput
fashion.
- James Lambert, ARC-NASA; Development of an instrument to non-invasively
measure the concentration of biomolecular compounds within the aqueous
humor of the eye to study pharmacokinetics of the blood-brain barrier
(which has a permeability correlated with that of the blood-aqueous-barrier).
Applications in chemotherapy and astronaut health.
- Mark Anderson, JPL-NASA; Biomolecular imaging with atomic force
microscope mediated Raman spectroscopy.
Biomolecular Physics and Chemistry (BPC) Program's first
Joint NASA-NCI Intra- and Extramural PI Meeting
This meeting will take place July 30 - August 1, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey, California. The objective of this meeting is to provide a forum for BPC principal investigators to share their work with their colleagues as well as NASA and NCI management. It is my intention that the retreat-style atmosphere of the meeting will allow us to focus on each individual project while keeping in mind areas of potential collaboration. The agenda consists of two intensive days of presentations, working sessions, and a poster session. As you notice, the dates of the meeting have moved up by one day. We hope that this change will not negatively impact anyone's scheduled attendance.
A website http://www.eventmakeronline.com/nasa-bpc/View/index.asp?MeetingID=2
has been developed to provide you with detailed logistical and programmatic
information to prepare you for the review. It is suggested that you visit the
site regularly for updates. There are a few items I would like to draw your
attention to that are further detailed on the website:
- The agenda has been carefully developed to facilitate a synergistic and stimulating environment for all parties. With that in mind, we have organized it in the following way: both NASA and NCI extramural PIs will present their work on July 31. Those intramural PIs whose projects are closely related to work being done by their counterparts in the extramural program will present on the first day as well. The larger contingent of intramural PIs will present their projects at a dedicated session on the afternoon of August 1.
- The Extramural PI Working Group session has been organized to provide a forum whereby experienced researchers will lead a discussion of several topics designed to assist new extramural researchers in their research endeavors. Intramural investigators are welcome to participate in this session as observers.
- Each investigator will be asked to provide a project summary sheet, a powerpoint presentation, and poster for their project. Enclosed in this email is the template of the project summary sheet. Directions for submitting the project summary sheet and powerpoint presentations are detailed on the website. Posters may accompany you to the meeting and need not be sent ahead of time. A mailing address will be provided shortly for those of you who prefer to mail your poster directly to the hotel.
- Participants may book guestrooms online via a link provided by the Hyatt Regency. All reservations must be made by July 1, 2002 - please book your reservations as soon as possible.
If you have any questions that have not been addressed on the
website please contact my assistant Julianna Fishman at jfishman@mail.arc.nasa.gov.
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