Core Grant for Vision Research-Animal Module Core

Animal Resource Project Summary/Abstract Our institute’s mission is to conduct research that will lead to a better understanding, treatment and prevention of diseases that cause visual dysfunction and blindness. To achieve these goals, the research faculty uses a variety of laboratory animal models that are essential for elucidating the pathogenesis of a diverse group of ocular diseases. The primary purpose of the Animal Resource Module is to provide expertise and assistance in animal imaging and visual assessment, devise surgical plans for novel animal models, consolidate rodent colonies as shared resources, and to provide extensive veterinary support along with pre-, intra-, and post- operative care. The animal resource module staff trains and provides support on the use of the ERG, HRT, OCT, slit lamp microscopes, and fundus photography systems, and maintain and upkeep imaging spaces and equipment. They also troubleshoot the breeding of difficult transgenic lines, conduct the genotyping and phenotyping of mouse models that are central to many of our research studies.