CORE GRANT FOR VISION RESEARCH

描述(由申请人提供)：在过去四年中，田纳西大学(UT)孟菲斯视力研究核心助学金已经为我们实现以下主要计划目标提供了至关重要的支持：1)建设新的哈密尔顿眼科研究所，提供15,000平方英尺的新研究实验室和核心设施，并计划在第三阶段再增加15,000平方英尺；2)招聘7名杰出的博士或医学博士/博士视觉研究教员；3)与圣裘德儿童研究医院和德克萨斯大学的多个研究中心建立强有力的研究和培训合作。个别核心参与者的成就也同样令人印象深刻。自从我们上一次提交核心赠款以来，使用核心设施的22名参与者已经制作了超过335份出版物。下一个供资期间的计划包括加强现有的两个核心模块。成像模块由三个用于光学显微镜的高分辨率数字图像分析系统、一个快速反应钙成像系统和显微程序的技术援助组成。需要为新的共焦显微镜和低温恒温器提供资金。分子生物学模块提供自动DNA测序和基因分型、实时定量聚合酶链式反应和基因阵列芯片扫描技术。该模块将使用核心赠款资金购买的主要新设备包括台风工作站成像仪、UV 96井板阅读器和超速离心机。将招聘更多的视力研究人员来填补汉密尔顿眼科研究所新设立的空缺。圣犹大儿童研究医院和德克萨斯大学之间的合作将随着两个机构的研究人员预计将获得大笔跨学科拨款而增加。这两个机构的管理部门都大力支持VISION研究的持续增长。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): For the past four years, the University of Tennessee (UT) Memphis Core Grant for Vision Research has provided support that has been critical for accomplishing our major programmatic goals of 1) building of the new Hamilton Eye Institute to provide 15,000 square feet of new research laboratories and core facilities, plus plans for an additional 15,000 square feet in Phase III of the construction; 2) recruitment of seven exceptional Ph.D or M.D./Ph.D vision research faculty; 3) building strong research and training collaborations with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and with a number of UT research centers. The accomplishments of individual Core participants have equally impressive. Since our last Core Grant submission, the 22 participants utilizing Core facilities have produced over 335 publications. Plans for the next funding period include strengthening the two existing Core Modules. The Imaging Module consists of three high-resolution digital image analysis systems for light microscopy, a rapid-response calcium imaging system and technical assistance for microscopy procedures. Funds for a new confocal microscope and cryostat are requested. The Molecular Biology Module provides automated DNA sequencing and genotyping, quantitative real-time PCR, and gene array chip scanning technology. Major pieces of new equipment to be purchased with Core Grant funds for this module include a Typhoon Workstation Imager, UV 96 well plate reader, and ultracentrifuge. Additional vision research faculty will be recruited to fill the newly created space in the Hamilton Eye Institute. Collaborations between St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and UT will grow with the expected award of large interdisciplinary grants involving investigators from both institutions. The administration of both institutions strongly supports the continued growth of vision research.