Networks and Regulation

Apply to NSF 11-545

The Networks and Regulation Cluster seeks to support creative proposals that offer a comprehensive understanding of the emergent properties of cells, organisms, and (microbial) communities.  The cluster promotes fundamental research addressing questions about how cells integrate environmental signals with their internal genetic and metabolic programs to regulate physiology, development or behavior.  The Cluster is interested in supporting research in areas such as the mechanisms of signal transduction, metabolic pathways and networks, synthetic biology, and origin of living systems. Research projects are given high priority if they are likely to lead to quantitative, predictive theories of cellular function through iterative cycles of theory and experiment. The proposals in the areas listed below are particularly encouraged.

• Signaling and metabolic networks
• The minimal cell, synthetic biology and the origins of life
• Environmental interactions and microbial communities

As stated in the Grant Proposal Guide, proposals to conduct research motivated primarily by relevance to human diseases and health is not appropriate for the division and will be returned without review.