Overall Core Project Summary/Abstract Funds are requested to support four modules that facilitate the research of and and enhance interaction among the investigators of at least 20 NEI-funded R01 grants. The modules will expand and enrich the activities of individual research programs by providing technologies and services not otherwise available to the investigators. The modules include Animal Resources, Flow Cytometry, Laboratory Computer Applications and Morphology. The Animal Resource Module provides expertise and assistance in animal surgical techniques and postoperative care, administration of anesthesia, drugs and medications. It includes the Animal Visual Assessment Core, which is a unique and valuable collection of equipment necessary for measuring murine vision as well as technical expertise for the training and/or conduct of particular assessments. It also provides specialized barrier services for the maintenance and breeding of unique mouse lines. The Flow Cytometry Module is a centralized service providing principal investigators and collaborators access to equipment and technical support for flow cytometry. The module offers cell counting, sorting to obtain viable populations of cells according to specific cellular markers, and biomarker detection. The Laboratory Computer Applications Module provides support to individual and collaborative efforts offering guidance in the application of machine learning, in the programming and developing software for gathering, processing, and in analyzing experimental data by computer systems. The module will also help projects involving image processing and analysis. The module interacts actively with the Animal, Flow Cytometry and Morphology Modules supporting analysis and export of data. The Morphology Module provides light, scanning and electron microscopy, confocal microscopy as well as tissue preparation and sectioning. The module houses and maintains shared equipment, and provides instruction on use of equipment, and makes protocols and techniques available to all. Personnel with specialized training in the respective fields and equipment staff the modules. Each module is under the immediate supervision of an established, experienced investigator. The department and organization are highly committed to keeping these resources robust, well-managed, technically up-to-date, and accessible to the investigators. Systems are in place to facilitate scheduling and to assure prioritization of P30-eligible R01s and young investigators.

Overall Core Project Narrative The Institute Core Grant provides funds for vision scientists from 20 investigator-initiated R01 grants to support four research modules at the Schepens Eye Research Institute including Animal Resources, Flow Cytometry, Laboratory Computer Applications and Morphology. The Modules allow individual researchers to have access to expertise and state-of-the-art facilities that are not available in their laboratories, supporting important and interdisciplinary investigation of ocular diseases.