Core Project

描述（由申请人提供）：这是约翰霍普金斯大学医学院听力与平衡中心的一份竞争性更新申请，旨在获得国家耳聋和其他沟通障碍研究所的研究核心资助。该中心包括来自耳鼻喉头颈外科、生物医学工程、神经科学、神经病学、分子生物学和遗传学等部门的16名研究人员。这些实验室提供了20个R01奖项的研究基地，其中14个来自NIDCD，其科学目标从毛细胞的分子生物物理学到听力和平衡的行为分析。提出了三个研究核心，将促进正在进行的研究，并在现有项目之间的接口激发新的举措。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a competing renewal application from the Center for Hearing and Balance at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine for a Research Core Grant from the National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The Center includes 16 investigators drawn from the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, Neurology, and Molecular Biology and Genetics. These laboratories provide a Research Base of 20 R01 awards, 14 of them from the NIDCD, with scientific aims ranging from the molecular biophysics of hair cells to behavioral assays of hearing and balance. Three Research Cores are proposed that will facilitate ongoing research and stimulate new initiatives at the interface between existing programs. 1. The Engineering Core will develop and distribute advanced data acquisition and signal analysis software, and provide general hardware and software support for Center laboratories. 2. The Histology Core will provide technical assistance and material support for light and electron microscopic studies, including access to microtomes and cryotomes for Users. Ultra-thin sectioning and EM analysis will be provided by a half-time senior histologist. Also, Users will receive guidance in tissue preparation, sectioning, and visualization techniques. Fluorescence microscopy will be available through a fluorescence microscope and digital imaging station in the Core. 3. The Neurophysiology Core will develop and distribute advanced CMS recording methods for use in freely-behaving animals. Indwelling multi-electrode arrays will be implemented and applied with the assistance of Core staff. 4. In addition, an Administrative unit will oversee operations throughout the Cores, organize the Center's speakers program, provide clerical and personnel support, and prepare reports. Center Administration Director: Paul A. Fuchs