P30 Center Core Grant for Vision Research

ABSTRACT Ocular Immunobiology Core Vision research requires the identification and quantification of cell types and their effector molecules to investigate the mechanisms of visual development and degeneration, the pathogenesis of blinding infection and inflammation, and the efficacy of vision-saving therapeutics. The new Ocular Immunobiology Core (OIC) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is responsible for providing vision researchers with state-of-the-art instrumentation for examining single cells involved in vision models of development, degeneration, infection, and inflammation at the cellular and molecular levels. This Core supports vision research on 16 NEI-funded R01 grants and other vision-related projects at OUHSC, and is located in the Dean McGee Eye Institute. We anticipate more than 40 ocular disease models to be analyzed by the Cytek Aurora and BioPlex 200 Multiplex Suspension Array. Our Systems Analyst is highly skilled in training personnel, assisting with experiments and data analysis, and maintaining core equipment to a quality standard. As such, the OIC provides instrumentation and expertise that is at the forefront of flow cytometry. Importantly, we plan to continue to expand this core to remain ahead of the curve allowing vision researchers to continue to be competitive and maintain a high quality of research. This novel and innovative Core is motivated and committed to providing an effective, efficient, user-friendly, and high-quality research environment for all vision researchers at OUHSC.