Sex and gender in health and disease scientific interest group

Authors

• KJ Serrano
• E Gorodetsky
• VA Cargill

Abstract

Sex differences have been reported in a variety of preclinical and clinical studies, including sex differences in brain function and behavior, sex effects/interactions with external influences, and sex differences in gene expression. The Sex and Gender in Health and Disease Scientific Interest Group (SGHD SIG) was created to promote and highlight the consideration of the sex as a biological variable (SABV) policy in NIH-funded research. The aim is to highlight the current efforts in the application of the SABV policy to enhance science and increase the rigor, reproducibility, and transparency of biomedical research. The goals of the group are to explore the influences of sex (as a biological variable) and gender (as a social construct) on health and disease across the life span; promote the dissemination of research and foster potential interdisciplinary collaborations among NIH scientists who work on, or are interested in, aspects of sex-based research across the research continuum; serve as a platform for cross-disciplinary connections to inform biomedical, social and behavioral research efforts; and catalyze new collaborations by leveraging the scientific expertise and acumen at NIH and neighboring research institutions. Three lectures have focused on sex influences on brain development, epigenetics and predisposition to asthma, and sleep behavior and circadian rhythm thus far. Through the SGHD SIG, the team answers questions regarding the policy, describes best practices for factoring SABV into research, and highlights the value of SABV in the context of the disciplines and scientific areas of the SIG members.

Scientific Focus Area: Research Support Services

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021