[CMAD Roster]

CMAD reviews applications involving molecular and cell biological mechanisms of development and aging, encompassing studies ranging from single cells to whole organisms. The focus is on temporal aspects of: chromosome dynamics, cell death, cell-cycle control, cellular responses to stress, cellular communication, stem cells, physiologic regulation, and determinants of longevity and other age-related functional changes.

Specific areas covered by CMAD:

• Aspects of chromosome dynamics relevant to development and aging, including: telomeres; helicases; DNA damage and repair; and chromosome stability.
• Cell death, apoptotic and necrotic, especially as related to development and aging, including age-related degenerative diseases.
• Molecular mechanisms of age-related changes at the cellular or tissue level, e.g., endocrine/reproductive, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and immunological.
• Cell cycle control, including the control of embryonic cell cycles and replicative senescence.
• Cellular responses to stress, including embryonic, fetal and adult responses such as: oxidative damage; mitochondrial dysfunction; transcriptional, translational and post-translational modifications and chemical modifications of other cellular components.
• Aspects of cellular communication especially as related to aging, including: intracellular, intercellular, and matrix-cell communication; signaling pathways; gene regulation; and cell differentiation.
• Fundamental biology of stem cells, including: their application to development and disease; their role and use in tissue regeneration and repair; stem cell senescence and death.
• Genetic and environmental determinants of longevity and age-related functional changes, including: fetal origins of adult disease; mechanistic aspects of metabolic imprinting; dietary restriction; and mechanistic aspects of genetic and hormonal manipulation of organismal longevity.
• Evolution of aging, including comparative studies of mechanisms of aging.

• With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG: Studies designed to address principles of chemistry and biophysics, unrelated to organism development, aging and their perturbations could be appropriately considered by BCMB. Studies using the general principles of chemistry and biophysics to address development, aging, and their perturbations could be appropriately considered by CMAD.
  
  
• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] and the Cell Biology [CB] IRGs: Studies designed to address the general principles of gene and cell function, unrelated to whole organism development, aging and their perturbations could be appropriately considered by GGG and CB. Studies using the general principles of gene and cell function to address development, aging, and their perturbations could be appropriately considered by CMAD.
  
  
• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG:  Studies designed to address basic genetic principles in humans and model organisms, unrelated to whole organism development, aging, and their perturbations could be appropriately considered by GGG. Studies using genetic principles to address development, aging, and their perturbations could be appropriately considered by CMAD.
  
  
• With the Oncological Sciences [ONC] IRG: Studies of genetic instability related to cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment could be appropriately assigned to ONC. Studies of cancer in the context of development or aging, particularly in multiple organs, could be assigned to CMAD.
  
  
• With the Hematology [HEME] and Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRGs: CMAD may review fundamental mechanistic studies that relate to both developmental disorders and the pathobiology underlying aging and degeneration, particularly when the studies transcend single organ systems or disciplines. Studies designed to address mechanistic principles, not focused on a developmental or aging process, may be considered by the appropriate organ-focused IRG such as HEME or CVS. Overlapping interest may include arterial sclerosis associated with aging.
  
  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG:  Studies of hormonal and nutrient manipulations to increase the lifespan may be appropriately assigned to CMAD or ASG. If the focus is a better understanding of diabetes, nutrition, or hormone action per se, assignment could be to EMNR. Shared interests may include cell cycle control and apoptosis.
  
  
• With the Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS]; Digestive Sciences [DIG]; Respiratory Sciences [RES]; and Renal and Urological Sciences [RUS] IRGs:  CMAD may review fundamental mechanistic studies that relate to both developmental disorders and the pathobiology underlying aging and degeneration, particularly when the study transcends single organ systems or disciplines. Studies designed to address mechanistic principles, particularly those not focused on a developmental or aging process may be considered by the appropriate organ-focused IRG such as MOSS, DIG, RES and RUS. Areas of shared interest may include degeneration/regeneration and pharmacological changes with aging.