The SIG Beat

NEWS FROM AND ABOUT THE SCIENTIFIC INTEREST GROUPS

New Name: NIH Artificial Intelligence Interest Group

If you are interested in artificial intelligence research, consider joining the Artificial Intelligence Interest Group (AIIG). The group, which was established in 2003 as the “Artificial Intelligence Robotic Pharmaceutical Screening Interest Group,” has a sharper focus than before. The AIIG’s purpose is to foster communication among scientists with diverse backgrounds whether they are from NIH, FDA, universities, or industry. The members share a common interest in the development of artificial intelligence for the improvement of medical treatments. The group meets every month to discuss a variety of topics including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, neural networks, algorithms, simulation, fuzzy logic, molecular and biological pattern recognition, biomarkers, digital biomarkers, biosensors, robotic platform technologies, remote diagnosis, autotherapy, and treatment techniques and patient outcomes. For more information about the SIG and instructions for how to join the LISTSERV email list, go to https://oir.nih.gov/sigs/artificial-intelligence-interest-group. You can also contact the chair, June Lee, at LeeJun@mail.nih.gov.

New Name: Protein Trafficking and Organelle Dynamics Interest Group

Another SIG has also revised its name to reflect how the interests of its members have changed. The “Protein Trafficking and Organelle Dynamics Interest Group” used to be known as simply the “Protein Trafficking Interest Group.” But that was before more PIs on campus began working on organelle-related biology. The goal of the Protein Trafficking and Organelle Dynamics Interest Group is to promote interaction among institutes and laboratories that are studying protein trafficking and organelle dynamics. Current areas of research interest include protein biogenesis and quality control, protein translocation across membranes, protein transport between organelles, membrane and lipid dynamics, endocytosis and exocytosis, organelle biogenesis and turnover, membrane-contact sites, autophagy, pathogen-membrane interaction, cytoskeleton dynamics, and membrane fusion. The interest group organizes monthly meetings (September–May) that feature presentations by senior fellows or PIs on well-developed research projects on campus. Also, the group frequently invites well-established scientists in related fields to discuss their new exciting findings. For more information about the SIG and instructions for how to join the LISTSERV, go to https://oir.nih.gov/sigs/protein-trafficking-organelle-dynamics-interest-group. Or you can contact one of the committee chairs: Yihong Ye (yihongy@mail.nih.gov), Matthias Machner, (machnerm@mail.nih.gov), or Nihal Altan-Bonnet (nihal.altan-bonnet@nih.gov).

NIH Scientific Interest Groups (SIGs) are assemblies of scientists with common research interests. These groups engage with their members via a LISTSERV; sponsor symposia, poster sessions and lectures; offer mentoring and career guidance for junior scientists; help researchers share the latest techniques and information; act as informal advisors to the Deputy Director for Intramural Research (DDIR); provide advice for the annual NIH Research Festival; and serve as hosts for the Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series. Most of these groups welcome interested non-NIH scientists. For more information and a list of SIGS, go to https://oir.nih.gov/sigs.