Biophotonics

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Innovative basic research in photonics, imaging, and sensing that is very fundamental in science and engineering is needed to lay the foundation for new technologies beyond those that are mature and ready for application in medical diagnostics and therapies.Developing molecularly specific sensing (molecular photonics), imaging, and monitoring systems with high sensitivity and resolution would be an enormous accomplishment with powerful applications to both biology and medicine. Low cost diagnostics will require novel integration of photonics, molecular biology, and material science. Complex biosensors capable of detecting and discriminating among large classes of biomolecules could be important not only to biology and medicine, but also to environmental sensing and homeland security.The BISH program supports innovative research of biophotonic, imaging, and sensing technologies for applications in human health. Examples of topics are: * Low Coherence Sensing at the Nanoscale - - Low coherence enhanced backscattering (LEBS), n-dimensional elastic light scattering, and angle- resolved low coherence interferometry for early cancer detection (dysplasia) * Macromolecule Markers - - Innovative methods for labeling of macromolecules, new compositions of matter/methods of fabrication of multi-color probes such as might be used for in-vitro marking and detection of specific pathological cells and or pathogens * Multi-probe Molecular Manipulations - - New optical approaches that permit specific molecular action on cells which conjointly bind two or more different probes with specificity for different macromolecular markers * Neuro-photonics - - Development of new biocompatible detection technologies that could serve as massively parallel interfaces for communicating with networks of cells such as brain tissue slices. Studies of photon activation of neurons at the interface of nanomaterials attached to cells * Biomimetic and Miniaturized Devices - - Innovative miniaturized optical tools or devices for the interrogation and manipulation or creation of specific reactions in complex cell or organ culture * Photon-cell Interactions - - Fundamental studies of novel photonic properties of nanoparticles and optical reporters and their interaction with cells and their internal organellesExamples of fundamental engineering research on technologies for human health, that are of interest, include: * Nanoparticle fluorescent quantum-dots * Novel waveguiding structures * Plasmon surface resonance and plasmonic nanostructures * Nanofluidics and nanochannel interconnects * Bio-inspired device concepts (lens microarrays) * Novel multi-function/multi-spectral focal plane arrays * Radiation sources and detectors (from IR to extreme UV) * Miniature power sources (nano-bio-batteries) * Photonic bandgap devices * Novel refractive index materials * N-dimensional photonic crystal microcavities * Quantum cascade photonicsThe duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years. The average annual award size for the program is $100,000 for individual investigators and $200,000 for multiple investigators. Any proposal received outside the announced dates will be returned without review.The duration of CAREER awards is five years. The submission deadline for Engineering CAREER proposals is in July every year. Please see the following URL for more information: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08051/nsf08051.jsp.Proposals for Conferences, Workshops, and Supplements may be submitted at any time, but must be discussed with the program director before submission.Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) replace the SGER program. Please note that proposals of these types must be discussed with the program director before submission. Further details are available in the PAPPG download, available below. Please refer to the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), January 2009, (NSF 09-1) when you prepare your proposal.

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