P30 - Core Grant for Vision Research

描述(申请人提供)：本申请申请续签核心助学金，以支持25名视力研究人员，其中15名符合条件的NEI R01助学金，2名NEI R21助学金，1名U10助学金，1名NEI资助的研究发展中心助学金(PN1)和2名NEI资助的贝勒医学院培训(T32)助学金。在这个竞争性的续订申请中，我们报告了我们过去对核心设施的非常成功和富有成效的使用(大量出版物受益于核心模块和核心成员之间的高水平合作)，并根据VISION研究界对尖端技术的当前需求和新出现的需求，寻求对三个模块的持续支持。建议的模块包括显微镜、数字成像和组织学、机械车间和小动物视觉系统分析。该提案的目的是提供对NEI资助的项目取得进展至关重要的支持和设施，这些支持和设施是各部门之间可获得的，但不能通过单独的研究补助金获得。应用的具体目标是(1)提供用于高分辨率三维成像的最先进的扫描共聚焦显微镜和用于眼和神经组织的超微结构分析以及分子成像的先进的透射电子显微镜。(2)提供处理从共焦显微镜、常规光学显微镜和电子显微镜获得的数字图像的设施和服务；组织学设施，以及光学显微镜和电子显微镜的服务和培训。(3)为Vision Core调查员提供内部机器维修服务，因为他们需要商业上没有的特殊仪器。(4)使用最先进的五轴机床为视觉核心实验室设计和制造高精度设备。(5)提供个别实验室所没有的设施，以鉴定眼病的动物模型(小鼠、大鼠和兔子)。其中包括蛋白质和小分子的生化分析仪器，以及使用视网膜电描记术(ERG)和光反射分析对视觉进行功能分析(6)，以通过共享公共设施促进贝勒视觉研究小组之间的合作。(7)提供有利的环境，以吸引和挽留杰出的视力研究教师、学生和博士后研究员；以及推动新的视力研究项目。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application requests renewal of a Core Grant to support 25 vision research investigators with 15 qualifying NEI R01 grants, 2 NEI R21 grants, 1 U10 grant, 1 NEI-funded Research Development Center grant (PN1) and 2 NEI-funded training (T32) grants at Baylor College of Medicine. In this competing renewal application, we report our highly successful and productive past usage of the Core facilities (with a large number of publications benefitting from the Core Modules and high level of collaborations among Core members), and seek continued support for three modules based on the current needs and emerging demand for cutting-edge technology of the vision research community. The proposed Modules are Microscopy, Digital Imaging & Histology; Machine Shop; and Small Animal Visual System Analysis. The aim of the proposal is to provide support and facilities, essential for progress on NEI-funded projects, net available among the departments and which cannot be obtained through individual research grants. The specific aims of the application are (1) Te provide a state-of-the-art scanning confocal microscope for high resolution three-dimensional imaging and an advanced transmission electron microscope for ultrastructural analysis of ocular and neural tissues, and molecular imaging. (2) To provide facilities and services to process digital images obtained from confocal, conventional light and electron microscopes; histological facilities, and services and training for both light and electron microscopy. (3) To provide in-house machine shop services to the Vision Core investigators who need special apparatus not commercially available. (4) To design and fabricate high-precision devices for vision Core laboratories with the new state-of-the-art 5-axes machine. (5) To provide facilities not available in individual laboratories for characterizing animal models (mice rats and rabbits) of ocular disease. These include instruments for biochemical analysis of proteins and small molecules, and functional analysis of vision using electroretinography (ERG) and opto-metor reflex assays (6) To foster collaborations among vision researcher groups at Baylor through sharing of common facilities. (7) To provide a supportive environment to attract and retain outstanding vision research faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows; and facilitate new vision research projects.