NIH Program Announcement: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine (PAR-03–045)

On December 12, 2002, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a Program Announcement (PA) aimed at enhancing nanoscience and nanotechnology research with implications for biology and medicine. This is an initiative of the trans-NIH Bioengineering Consortium (BECON). Nanotechnology refers to studies at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular scale. A nanometer is 1 × 10⁻⁹ meters. Developments in science and engineering have led to the reality of characterizing and manipulating matter at this scale, to be used as building blocks for larger structures using a “bottom up” approach such as that which exists in nature. Examples of natural “nanomachines” in cells include molecular motors and pumps which catalyze chemical reactions, transduce information, and transport molecules across membranes. The purpose of this PA is to stimulate cross disciplinary research to study the capabilities of these devices outside their natural environment, and to improve our understanding of basic biology and physiology. Furthermore, these nanomachines may have both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, such as directed delivery of drugs. Nanotechnology and nanoscience is predicted to play a major role in the future treatment of human diseases, including that of the nervous system. The mechanism of support for this PA are the RO1 (investigator initiated research project grant) and the R21 (exploratory/developmental research grant) awards. The next deadline for grant submission under this PA is February 18, 2004. More information about this PA can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pafiles/PAR-03-045.html.