INTRODUCTION

The extraordinary growth of data-rich biology has created revolutionaryopportunities for mathematically-driven advances in biological research. In thisinitiative, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and theNational Science Foundation's Division of Mathematical Sciences (NSF/DMS) jointogether to promote research at the interface of the biological and mathematicalsciences. The expertise of the DMS in the mathematical and statistical sciences, andof the complementary expertise of NIGMS in biological and biomedical research arevexpected to create new opportunities in quantitative biological research.

This initiative is designed to support research in mathematics and statistics onquestions in the biological and biomedical sciences. A direct relationship betweena biological application and the mathematical and/or statistical work is expected.Research teams that include scientists from both the life sciences community andthe mathematical and statistical sciences communities are encouraged.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) within the Directorate ofMathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) and the National Institute of GeneralMedical Sciences (NIGMS) anticipate supporting research in the mathematical andstatistical sciences with biological applications. Appropriate application areas arethose currently supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (see

http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/).

Examples of areas of research that are appropriate under this competition includethe following:

· Evolutionary or ecological population dynamics;

· Differentiation and developmental processes;

· Explanatory and predictive models of cellular behavior;

· Molecular and cellular networks;

· Novel and unique approaches to the prediction of molecular structure;

· Simulations of the human systemic responses to burn, trauma and other injury;

· New approaches to understanding system-wide effects of pharmacological agentsand anesthetics, and their genetic and environmental modifiers.

These areas of research are examples only. They are not meant to be inclusive.Mathematical scientists, pure, applied, and/or statistical, and others capable ofdeveloping the mathematical and statistical tools envisioned are encouraged toapply. The work that is supported under this initiative must impact biology andadvance mathematics or statistics. Thus, collaborations between the mathematicalscientists and appropriate biological scientists are expected.