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Division of Discovery Science & Technology (DDST)
Contents
Introduction
The mission of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) is to improve health by leading the development and accelerating the application of biomedical technologies. The NIBIB provides a home for biomedical imaging and bioengineering research communities and encourages the integration of the engineering, physical, computationsl, and life sciences to advance human health by improving quality of life and reducing the burden of disease.
The Division of Discovery Science and Technology is part of the Extramural Science Programs Office within the NIBIB. Through grant, cooperative agreement, and contract mechanisms, the Division promotes, fosters, and manages bioengineering and biomedical imaging research programs involving the development of new technologies that can be applied to biomedical research and medical practice, with the ultimate goal of improving public health.
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Current Research
The Division has active research programs in the following scientific areas:
- Biomaterials – Novel materials that can be used for a broad spectrum of biomedical applications such as implantable devices, drug and gene delivery, tissue engineering, imaging agents, and biosensors. Areas of emphasis include the design, synthesis, characterization, processing and manufacturing of materials and devices (Lori Henderson, hendersonlori@mail.nih.gov) as well as the interaction of biomaterials with biological systems including biocompatibility, surface science, biomimetics, and biofilms management. (Albert Lee, alee@mail.nih.gov)
- Biomedical Informatics – Improve the collection, storage, classification, retrieval, integration, analysis, and dissemination of quantitative and qualitative biomedical data. The tools and resources from this program are intended to support other NIBIB program areas in biomedical imaging and bioengineering. (Zohara Cohen, zcohen@mail.nih.gov)
- Drug and Gene Delivery Systems and Devices – New or improved technologies for the controlled and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. Areas of emphasis include new delivery vehicles, imaging methods for tracking delivery and assessing performance, and energy-assisted delivery such as ultrasound. (Lori Henderson, hendersonlori@mail.nih.gov)
- Image Processing, Visual Perception and Display – Algorithms for post-acquisition image processing and analysis, including image segmentation, registration, atlas generation, and morphology measurement. Development of tools to improve and evaluate the perception of medical images, including diagnostic-performance evaluation, assessment of computer-aided diagnosis technologies, and statistical models for evaluation of observer performance. (Zohara Cohen, zcohen@mail.nih.gov)
- Mathematical Modeling, Simulation and Analysis – Mathematical models and computational algorithms with potential clinical or biomedical applications, with a focus on multi-scale modeling. Development of simulation technology for training and education in clinical practice and biomedical research, and simulation algorithms for understanding and predicting health and disease. Development of mathematical, statistical and signal processing methods for the analysis of complex biomedical systems, clinical diagnosis and patient monitoring is another area of support under this program. (Grace Peng, penggr@mail.nih.gov)
- Medical Devices and Implant Sciences – Design, development, evaluation and validation of medical devices and implants. This includes exploratory research on next generation concepts for diagnostic and therapeutic devices and development of tools to assess host-implant interactions, predict performance, and perform explant analyses. (Lori Henderson, hendersonlori@mail.nih.gov)
- Micro-Biomechanics – The study of micromechanics of cells and intracellular structures. Examples include biomechanics of cell adhesion and cell morphology and migration on biomaterials. (Lori Henderson, hendersonlori@mail.nih.gov)
- Nanotechnology – Enabling technologies for the fabrication and use of nanoscale components and systems in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Examples include tools to characterize material properties and interfacial phenomena, new approaches to sensing and quantification of biologically important molecules, nanoscale patterning of scaffolds for tissue engineering, nanoparticles for drug delivery, and nanomaterials as imaging agents. (Lori Henderson, hendersonlori@mail.nih.gov)
- Rehabilitation Engineering – Modeling, simulation, analysis, robotics and systems engineering technologies. Application areas include early stage technology development of neuroprosthesis and neuroengineering, robotics rehabilitation, virtual rehabilitation, and biomechanics of human movement. (Grace Peng, penggr@mail.nih.gov)
- Sensors and Microsystems – Bioanalytical technologies that enable the detection, identification and quantification of clinically or biologically relevant analytes in complex matrices. Novel sensing modalities as well as BioMEMS, microfluidics and nanoscale technologies are covered in this area. An area of emphasis is development of miniaturized devices for point-of-care technologies. Low-cost manufacturing approaches as well as modeling for device design are additional topics of interest (Brenda Korte, kortebr@mail.nih. gov). Bioprocess Technologies – Areas of interest include bioprocess unit operations, and process analytical technologies. (Albert Lee, alee@mail.nih.gov)
- Surgical Tools, Techniques, and Systems – New medical technologies to improve the outcomes of surgical interventions. Examples include relevant technologies for minimally invasive surgeries and robotically assisted surgical systems. (Lori Henderson, hendersonlori@mail.nih.gov)
- Telehealth – Technology development that incorporates telemetry and remote access in the acquisition, analysis and monitoring of biomedical data. (Grace Peng, penggr@mail.nih.gov)
- Tissue Engineering – Enabling technologies to develop functional cell, tissue, and organ substitutes to repair, replace, or enhance biological function either in vivo or in vitro. This multidisciplinary field draws upon and integrates advances in biomaterials, cell and developmenttal biology, physiology, high throughput assay development, imaging, computational modeling, bioreactor design, and novel engineering methods. (Rosemarie Hunziker, hunzikerr@mail. nih.gov)
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Collaborations
An important aspect of the Institute’s mission is encouraging collaborations among the Institutes and Centers at NIH, other Federal agencies, and the private sector. The division is currently involved in several collaborative activities:
- Multi-Agency Tissue Engineering Sciences (MATES) Working Group – The MATES Working Group facilitates communication about tissue engineering and regenerative medicine activities across NIH Institutes and other Federal agencies by conducting monthly meetings and maintaining a common website. The working group also co-sponsors funding opportunities, scientific meetings, and workshops; facilitates the development of standards; and monitors new technology development in the field. (http://tissueengineering.gov)
- National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) – The NNI is a Federal R&D program established to coordinate the multi-agency efforts in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. The NNI is managed within the framework of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The Nanoscale Science Engineering and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the NSTC coordinates planning, budgeting, program implementation and review to ensure a balanced and comprehensive initiative. The NIBIB has institutional representation on the NSET Subcommittee as one of the leading Institutes at the NIH supporting the research and development of nanotechnology for healthcare applications. (http://www.nano.gov)
- Roundtable on Biomedical Engineering Materials and Applications (BEMA) – The National Academy of Sciences BEMA Roundtable provides a neutral setting for the exchange of information regarding biomaterials science, research, and practice. BEMA identifies and discusses priority issues in the general areas of biomaterials and their use in the development, manufacture, and application of medical devices. (http://www.bema.org)
- Biomedical Information Science and Technology Initiative (BISTI) Consortium – BISTI is aimed at maximizing NIH’s opportunities to benefit from the use of computer science and technology to address problems in biology and medicine. (http://www.bisti.nih.gov)
- NIH Bioengineering Consortium (BECON) – The NIBIB serves as the administrative home of BECON. BECON is the focus of bioengineering activities at the NIH. The consortium consists of senior-level representatives from all of the NIH Institutes and Centers, plus representatives from other Federal agencies concerned with biomedical engineering research and development. (http://www.becon.nih.gov/becon.htm)
- Interagency Modeling and Analysis Group (IMAG) – IMAG holds a monthly forum for program officers across agencies to communicate, disseminate, and plan collaborative activities and joint initiatives related to computational and analytical modeling and analysis. (http://www.nibib.nih.gov/Research/MultiScaleModeling/IMAG)
- Neuroprosthesis Group (NPG) – NPG holds a monthly forum for program officers across NIH and other agencies to communicate, disseminate, and plan collaborative activities related to neuroprosthesis and neuroengineering.
- NIH Roadmap Regenerative Medicine Coordinating Committee – The NIBIB is the lead Institute on a new NIH Regenerative Medicine (RM) Coordinating Committee to establish better communication and collaboration in RM across the NIH and the RM research community.
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NIBIB Contacts
You may contact NIBIB program staff with your questions about funding opportunities or the application process. We welcome the opportunity to speak with potential applicants about the Institute’s programs. Areas of scientific coverage for each member of the program staff can be found in the Directory of Scientific Programs.
Dr. Christine Kelley
Director, DDST
Telephone: 301-451-4778
kelleyc@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Zohara Cohen
Program Director
Telephone: 301-451-4778
zcohen@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Lori Henderson
Program Director
Telephone: 301-451-4778
hendersonlori@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Rosemarie Hunziker
Program Director
Telephone: 301-451-4778
hunzikerr@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Brenda Korte
Program Director
Telephone: 301-451-4778
kortebr@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Grace Peng
Program Director
Telephone: 301-451-4778
pengg@mail.nih.gov
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