New directions in craniofacial morphogenesis

The vertebrate head is an extremely complicated structure: development of the head requires tissue-tissue interactions between derivates of all the germ layers and coordinated morphogenetic movements in three dimensions. In this review, we highlight a number of recent embryological studies, using chicken, frog, zebrafish and mouse, which have identified crucial signaling centers in the embryonic face. These studies demonstrate how small variations in growth factor signaling can lead to a diversity of phenotypic outcomes. We also discuss novel genetic studies, in human, mouse and zebrafish, which describe cell biological mechanisms fundamental to the growth and morphogenesis of the craniofacial skeleton. Together, these findings underscore the complex interactions leading to species-specific morphology. These and future studies will improve our understanding of the genetic and environmental influences underlying human craniofacial anomalies.     

New directions in applied psychophysiology

This paper is based on the Presidential Address given at the AAPB meeting in Dallas, Texas, March, 1991.     

New directions in incidence-dose modeling

Many cellular responses are quantal; that is, they either take place or they do not. Examples of "either-or" responses include cell replication, differentiation and apoptosis. Surprisingly, induction of suites of genes and coordinated phenotypic changes in cells are also often quantal, where embedded molecular circuitry creates on-off switches. Mechanistic incidence-dose (ID) models need to account for the quantal characteristics of cellular switches that contribute, in turn, to dose thresholds and to the incidence of biological responses in individuals. Interdisciplinary systems biology approaches create mechanistic ID models based on: (i) detailed knowledge of the cellular circuitry controlling signal transduction; (ii) evolving biological modeling tools describing cellular circuits and their perturbations by chemicals and (iii) high throughput, high coverage "omic" screens for examining cell signaling pathways and biological responses. These interdisciplinary approaches should produce novel, quantitative ID models for biological responses and greatly improve the biological basis of safety and risk assessments.     

New directions in photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a treatment approach that makes use of a photosensitizer to generate a localized toxic species in diseased tissue, has recently become an approved treatment modality. So far, however, only a handful of photosensitizers have received regulatory approval and for a small number of diseases. This chapter outlines the major limitations of PDT and speculates on the possible improvements that are required in order to advance PDT to a front line therapy. Seven areas of improvements are discussed: drug selectivity, drug delivery, light delivery, combination therapies, pigmented tumors, other potential uses, and protocol optimization. For each area, current limitations are discussed, and further required studies are recommended.     

New directions in liposome gene delivery

The history of liposomes, progress in liposome gene delivery, and future directions are discussed. Specific characteristics of liposomes and DNA:liposome complexes have been identified that are essential for optimal delivery and gene expression. Of particular interest are the requirements for increased delivery and high levels of gene expression in vivo. At present, significant efforts are focused towards achieving specific delivery and gene expression in target organs and tissues.     

New directions in pharmacogenetics: Introduction

General principles were developed for the selection of subjects for pharmacogenetic investigations. Depending on the particular metabolic pathway involved, studies may require that subjects be under carefully controlled, homogeneous environmental conditions. Otherwise, segregation in families of some genetically transmitted traits can be concealed by effects from multiple host factors. Therefore, in some pharmacogenetic studies of pharmacokinetic variations, differences among subjects with respect to critical host factors can profoundly influence the results obtained and conclusions drawn.     

New directions of post-rice genome sequencing

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foodsand it has been estimated that 50% of the human population dependson it as the main source of nutrition. It is particularly importantfor people living in the monsoon areas of Asia, where it hasa long history of cultivation. On April 2002, two groups, Syngentaand the Beijing Genome Institute, reported draft sequences ofjaponica and indica varieties, respectively (Goff et al. 2002,Yu et al. 2002) and, in December of the     

New directions for fluorescent speckle microscopy

Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy (FSM) is a technology for analyzing cytoskeleton dynamics, giving novel insight into their roles in living cells. New applications of FSM, together with the development of computer-based FSM image analysis, will make FSM the first microscopy-based method to deliver quantitative kinetic readouts at high spatial and temporal resolution for a wide variety of macromolecular systems. Here, we review the most recent applications and developments and give a glimpse of future directions and potentials of FSM.     

New directions and interactions in metagenomics research

Metagenomics, which aims to access the genomic potential of an environmental sample directly, is a burgeoning area that is generating enormous amounts of biological information. An examination of recent metagenomics literature reveals the discipline to be heading in new and interesting directions, including the investigation of the normal flora of mammals, analysis of ancient genomes, and exploration of the distribution of novel pathways. In addition, the development of new bioinformatics approaches and tools is allowing innovative mining of both existing and new data. Finally, there are indications that the integration of metagenomics with complementary approaches in microbial ecology is beginning.     

New directions in the production of vaccines

New trends and developments in vaccines emphasized the growing need for safety tests of increased complexity, rather than a need for ultrasophisticated and complex devices. The Vaccine Development Branch of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, operating with an annual budget of $6,000,000 has the task of expediting the collaborative efforts of 50 laboratories for developing, producing, and testing experimental vaccine lots. Rubella has a major priority; other priorities are assigned to respiratory syncytial, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, influenza, and rhinoviruses, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. To accomplish this requires a very expensive and complex program involving rapid information exchange and increased emphasis on safety testing with regard to extraneous viruses and the oncogenic potential of the vaccines. The latter need resulted from such experience as that with the Salk vaccine and the tumorproducing potential of some adenoviruses. Electron microscopy has been useful in discovering possible viral contaminants. Of all material produced for experimental work, from 65 to 70% is used for safety tests.