P30 - Core Grant for Vision Research

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请要求更新核心补助金，以支持25名视力研究调查人员，其中15名符合条件的NEI R 01赠款，2名NEI R21赠款，1名U10补助金，1名NEI资助的研究开发中心补助金（PN 1）和2名NEI资助的培训（T32）赠款在贝勒医学院。在这个竞争性的更新申请中，我们报告了我们过去对核心设施的高度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），并根据当前的需求和视觉研究社区对尖端技术的新兴需求寻求对三个模块的持续支持。拟议的模块是显微镜，数字成像和组织学;机械车间;和小动物视觉系统分析。这项建议的目的，是提供支援和设施，以推动由国家环境研究计划资助的项目，而这些支援和设施是各部门之间所能提供，而又不能透过个别研究赠款取得的。本申请的具体目的是：（1）为高分辨率三维成像提供最先进的扫描共聚焦显微镜，为眼和神经组织的超微结构分析和分子成像提供先进的透射电子显微镜。(2)提供设施和服务，以处理从共聚焦，传统的光学和电子显微镜获得的数字图像;组织学设施，以及光学和电子显微镜的服务和培训。(3)为Vision Core研究者提供内部机器车间服务，这些研究者需要市场上没有的特殊设备。(4)使用最先进的5轴机床设计和制造高精度视觉设备核心实验室。(5)提供单个实验室无法提供的设施，用于表征眼部疾病的动物模型（小鼠、大鼠和兔）。这些包括用于蛋白质和小分子的生化分析的仪器，以及使用视网膜电图（ERG）和视反射测定的视觉功能分析（6）通过共享公共设施促进贝勒视觉研究小组之间的合作。(7)提供一个支持性的环境，以吸引和留住优秀的视觉研究教师，学生和博士后研究员;并促进新的视觉研究项目。

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.