P30 - Core Grant for Vision Research

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请要求更新核心拨款，以支持25名视力研究人员，其中15名合格的NEI R01拨款，2名NEI R21拨款，1名U10拨款，1名NEI资助的研究发展中心拨款（PN1）和2名NEI资助的培训（T32）资助贝勒医学院。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），并根据当前需求和视觉研究界对尖端技术的新需求，寻求对三个模块的持续支持。建议的模块是显微镜，数字成像和组织学；机器商店;和小动物视觉系统分析。这项建议的目的是提供支助和设施，这些支助和设施对于新环境规划署资助的项目取得进展至关重要，这些支助和设施在各部门之间可以获得，而且不能通过个别研究补助金获得。该应用程序的具体目的是：(1)提供最先进的扫描共聚焦显微镜，用于高分辨率三维成像，以及先进的透射电子显微镜，用于眼和神经组织的超微结构分析和分子成像。(2)提供处理共聚焦显微镜、常规光学显微镜和电子显微镜所获得的数字图像的设施和服务；组织学设施，以及光学和电子显微镜的服务和培训。(3)为需要特殊仪器的Vision Core调查人员提供内部机加工服务。(4)利用最新先进的五轴机床，为视觉核心实验室设计制造高精度设备。(5)为眼病动物模型（小鼠、大鼠和家兔）的表征提供个别实验室无法提供的设施。这些工具包括用于蛋白质和小分子生化分析的仪器，以及使用视网膜电图（ERG）和视光反射测定的视觉功能分析(6)。通过共享公共设施，促进贝勒大学视觉研究小组之间的合作。(7)为吸引和留住优秀的视觉研究教师、学生和博士后提供有利的环境；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.