NEI Center Core Grant for Vision Research

Overall Core Project Summary The overall aim of the Cole Eye Institute (CEI) Core Facilities for Vision Research is to facilitate the analysis of the structure, function and disease mechanisms that affect the visual system by providing centralized assess to shared resources. The Core Facilities will provide resources, expertise and equipment to aid in the research endeavors of a vibrant and highly collaborative group of vision science investigators at CEI of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The long-term goal of the investigators served by this grant is to prevent blindness and restore vision in diseases such as Retinopathy of Prematurity, Diabetic Retinopathy. AMD and Inherited Retinal Degenerations. To this end we have developed a series of Core modules that will continue to provide state-of-the-art instrumentation and technologies required for vision research. The three Core modules are: (1) Ocular Imaging Core; (2) Functional Vision Core; and (3) Molecular Informatics Core. These Cores contain equipment that is maintained and operated by highly skilled technicians that are supervised by established research scientists. Consolidating these technologies into the three Cores allows us to bring these techniques and skills to all potential users in our program, which we anticipate will continue to increase productivity in the user laboratories and avoid duplication of equipment and effort. Successful operation of these three Cores will bring the best of these technologies to each of the NEI RO1 supported laboratories in this institution. We also envision that these Core modules will continue to enhance and sustain the collaborative scientific environment that is a strong feature of the CEI Vision research group. The Cores will also enhance productivity among the participating investigators as in the previous grant cycle and allow junior investigators to have access to services and research strategies that will help generate preliminary data to support new RO1 applications.