Special Project Guidelines for AI Analysis of Logical Structure of Molecular Language of Life Processes
Artificial intelligence (AI) has profoundly affected the development and paradigm changes of life science research, providing new ways to deeply explore life processes. Life processes are essentially expressions of the language of biological macromolecules. The composition, structure, expression, positioning, activity and interaction dynamics of biological macromolecules determine the physiological and pathological processes from cells, tissues, organs, individuals to groups, reflecting the importance of molecular language. Traditional computing and experimental techniques are difficult to interpret molecular languages with complex dynamic and logical structures, but artificial intelligence technology provides the possibility to understand this problem. Therefore, the Department of Life Sciences of the National Natural Science Foundation of China has set up a special project around “AI analysis of the logical structure of molecular language in life processes“, aiming to guide scientific researchers to focus on cutting-edge technical issues of “AI for biology” and provide a basis for understanding Biomolecular language provides new methods and means to reveal the essential laws of life and analyze the mechanism of life.
1. Overall scientific goals
Focusing on important physiological and pathological processes, develop new artificial intelligence technologies for biomolecule language interpretation, analyze the language structure, logic and correlation of biomolecules, reveal the causal laws of life processes, promote multi-disciplinary integration, promote the paradigm change of life science research, and provide theoretical reserves and technical support to serve the strategic tasks of the “four aspects” of basic research.
2. Research directions to be funded
Focusing on the above scientific goals, it is planned to fund the following research:
(1) AI analysis and intervention of genomic language.
Based on cognitive intelligence large model technology, combined with multi-modal experimental data, the molecular language structure and logic of DNA and RNA sequences are analyzed, and different functional modules in biological sequences are analyzed and modeled to support the sequence design and delivery of new nucleic acid drugs. optimization. Funding directions include but are not limited to: characterization and learning of the structure and logic of biological sequence languages, nucleic acid drug design and optimization of translation efficiency, design of small RNA drugs, design of delivery methods represented by nanoparticles, and identification of new targets for RNA drugs. , RNA splicing site prediction, etc.
(2) AI analysis and design of protein structure language.
Based on hybrid enhanced intelligence technology, combined with rules such as biophysics and biochemistry principles, it integrates multi-modal biological big data such as protein structure and interactions, characterizes and learns the logic and structure of protein structure language, and realizes the dynamic analysis of biological macromolecules such as proteins. Understanding of structure and interaction rules. Funding directions include but are not limited to: protein dynamic structure prediction, protein-small molecule/nucleic acid/sugar dynamic complex structure prediction, cluster analysis of protein structures, research on new methods and new technologies for protein structure design, and novel functional protein structures and Decorative design.
(3) Construction, analysis and application of large cell multi-modal pre-training models.
Based on the continuously accumulated high-dimensional, multi-modal cell multi-omics data, a multi-modal pre-trained large model at the cellular level is constructed to systematically analyze the deep rules of cell function and evolution, and in the field of regulatory mechanism mining, disease mechanism analysis, and new therapies Explore new application paradigms for pre-trained large models in terms of development. Funding directions include but are not limited to: pre-trained large model framework adapted to cell characteristics, multi-modal data fusion methods, unified modeling strategies for spatiotemporal omics, model explanation strategies and transparency methods, cross-scale regulatory mechanism mining, pre-trained large model Typical demonstration applications of the model, etc.
(4) AI analysis and application of molecular language in physiological and pathological processes.
Utilize the knowledge fusion and generalization capabilities of meta-learning technology to integrate molecular omics with multi-modal data such as images and videos, and integrate cross-level data from cells to tissues and organs around physiological processes such as rhythm, sleep, and social activities and related diseases. Dynamic molecular networks, understand the mechanism of communication and transmission of chemical modification signals, and analyze the dynamic changes and determinants of molecular language in physiological and pathological processes. Funding directions include but are not limited to: small sample learning for dynamic chemical modification substrate prediction, zero sample learning for modification regulatory factors, dynamic modification enzyme-substrate network modeling of physiological and pathological processes, molecular omics and phenotyping, and clinical data cross-scale integration.
(5) Research on the integrated logical structure and representational characteristics of multi-scale molecular language of functional systems and steady states of spatiotemporal response.
Utilize the cross-scale knowledge understanding and thinking chain reasoning capabilities of generative artificial intelligence technology to study the integrated logical structure and representational characteristics of multi-scale molecular languages at the molecular, cellular, and system levels in functional systems. By analyzing the interaction and change rules of cross-scale molecular language in functional systems under changes in time and space, we can understand the steady state and dynamic response mechanism of functional systems, and reveal the “emergence” of new characteristics and functions after cross-scale molecular language is composed of functional systems ( emergence)” rule. Funding directions include but are not limited to: the origin of important life systems such as immunity, nerves, and endocrine systems, the integration of multi-scale molecular languages, the rules of interaction and change, and the natural logic of homeostasis in response to changes in space and time.
- Funding period and funding intensity
The total direct cost of this special project is approximately 20 million yuan. It plans to fund 10 projects, with a funding intensity of approximately 2 million yuan per project. Project funding period is 3 years. The research period in the application form should be filled in as “January 1, 2024–December 31, 2026”.
- Application requirements and precautions
(1) Application conditions.
Applicants for this special project should meet the following conditions:
- Have experience in undertaking basic research projects.
- Have senior professional and technical positions (professional titles).
Postdoctoral researchers on site, those who are pursuing a postgraduate degree, and those who do not have an employer or whose unit is not a supporting unit are not allowed to apply as applicants.
- Young scientific researchers under the age of 45 are encouraged to apply as applicants.
(2) Joint application requirements.
This project can be applied by one applicant alone or jointly by two applicants. When applying jointly, the two applicants (the supporting institutions can be the same or different) should belong to different fields or different directions, and one applicant should not be a major participant in the project applied for by the other party. Both parties to the joint application must focus on the same research goal and write separate applications [see (4) Application Notes for specific requirements].
(3) Regulations on limited applications.
- When applying for this special project, it will not be included in the scope of the total number of applications and responsibilities for senior professional and technical positions (titles). Before the application is officially received and the National Natural Science Foundation of China makes a decision on whether to fund or not, and after the funding is obtained, the number of applications will be counted. The total number of applications and responsibilities for personnel entering senior professional and technical positions (professional titles) is 2.
- Applicants and major participants can only apply for or participate in the application of 1 project of this special project.
- Applicants can only apply for one research project in the special project in the same year.
(4) Things to note when applying.
- Application reception time is October 27, 2023-October 31, 2023 at 16:00.
- The application form for this special project is written online. The specific requirements for applicants are as follows:
(1) Applicants should carefully read the relevant contents of this guide and the “2023 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Guide” before filling in the application form. Application projects that do not meet the project guide and relevant requirements will not be funded.
(2) Applicants log in to the Science Fund Network Information System http://grants.nsfc.gov.cn/ (applicants who do not have a system account should apply to the fund management contact of the host institution to open an account), and write the application in accordance with the writing outline and relevant requirements. Book. Please note: Applicants should write their application around the key scientific issues to be solved announced in this project guide, and specifically describe the research content, plans and funding budget to be carried out in response to the research direction to be funded in this guide.
(3) Select “Special Project” for the funding category in the application form, select “Research Project” for the subcategory description, select “Comprehensive Research Project of the Ministry of Science” for the annotation description, and select “C21” for the application code. Applications for projects with inaccurate or unselected selections above will not be funded.
(4) When applying jointly, the joint applicants for each pair of projects should submit applications independently, but they must fill in the same project name, and mark “(Joint Application A)” or “(Joint Application B)” after the project name. A joint application agreement must be provided in the attachments to the application. Both parties to the joint application must jointly sign and be stamped by the host institution. Other forms of documents will not be recognized.
(5) When applying for a joint application, the beginning of the application text should first describe the common research topics, research background, common research goals and research roadmap of the two jointly applied projects, and elaborate on the necessity and feasibility of conducting cooperative research. Explain the specific division of work between the joint applicants; then fill in the research content, experimental design and other parts for which they are responsible according to the application writing requirements. The application should reflect strong alliances and carry out complementary substantive research work. The Natural Science Foundation of China will organize experts to conduct an overall review of the joint application. If you apply independently, please fill in the application form according to the requirements.
(6) The total number of supporting units and cooperative research units for each special project shall not exceed 3; the main participants must be actual contributors to the project.
(7) If the applicant has already undertaken other science and technology planning projects related to this special project, the differences and connections between the applied project and other related projects should be discussed in the “Research Basis and Working Conditions” section of the main body of the application.
(8) Applicants should carefully read the budget preparation requirements in the application regulations of the “2023 National Natural Science Foundation of China Project Guide” and prepare the project budget truthfully. When applying jointly, each applicant is required to prepare an independent budget, and the total budget for each pair of projects shall not exceed 2 million yuan.
(9) This special project implements paperless application. After the applicant completes the application writing, he or she must submit the electronic application and attachment materials online. The host unit only needs to confirm the electronic application and attached materials online, and does not need to submit a paper application. However, the authenticity and completeness of the application materials submitted by the applicant of the unit should be carefully reviewed. During the project acceptance deadline Before (16:00 on October 31, 2023), submit the unit’s electronic application and attachment materials through the information system item by item, and submit the unit’s project list online within 24 hours after the application acceptance deadline. After the project is approved, the host unit will bind the signed and stamped paper page of the application at the end of the “Funded Project Plan” and submit it together as required within the specified time.
- Consultation methods for this special project:
Division of Interdisciplinary and Integrated Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China, contact number: 010-62329246.
(5) Other matters needing attention.
- In order to achieve the overall scientific goal of this special project, the funded project leader should promise to abide by the relevant regulations on data and technology sharing. During the project implementation process, he must pay attention to the mutually supporting relationship with other projects of this special project to form a close organic connection, focusing on complementary research contents.
2. In order to strengthen the academic exchanges of the project and promote the formation of special project clusters and multi-disciplinary intersections, this special project cluster will set up a special project guidance expert group to hold an annual academic exchange meeting for funded projects every year, and will organize relevant projects from time to time. academic seminars in the field. The person in charge of the funded project must participate in the above-mentioned academic exchange activities and conduct academic exchanges seriously.