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Cluster
for Cellular Systems
This cluster
supports research on the structure, function, and regulation of
plant, animal, and microbial cells and their interactions with the
environment and one another. Areas supported include studies of
the structure, function, and assembly of cellular elements, such
as the cytoskeleton, membranes, organelles, intracellular compartments,
intranuclear structures, and extracellular matrix, including eukaryotic
and prokaryotic cell walls and envelopes. In addition, support is
provided for the study of intracellular and transmembrane signal
transduction mechanisms and functions, and cell-cell signaling processes,
including those that occur in biofilms. Research on cellular recognition
and self defense mechanisms is included. Research utilizing both
traditional and innovative methodologies, multidisciplinary approaches,
technique development, computation and modeling, and approaches
that exploit genomic information is encouraged. Multi-disciplinary
approaches to the study of cellular systems, including research
carried out at the interfaces of biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics
and computer science, and engineering, are also encouraged.
This cluster
includes the scientific themes of cellular organization and signal
transduction and cellular regulation.
The Microbial
Observatories and Microbial Interactions and Processes competition
is also housed in this cluster. This expanded activity supports
integrative studies that explore novel microorganisms, their interactions
in consortia and communities, and aspects of their physiology, biochemistry
and genomics in relationship to the processes that they carry out
in the environments.
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