PROJECT SUMMARY: CELL IMAGING & ANALYSIS MODULE The Vanderbilt Vision Research Center (VVRC) includes faculty investigators with a strong interest in discerning structure-function relationships in the visual pathways. These include inferences and hypotheses based on whole tissue analysis, single cell labeling, and localization of molecular components of biochemical cascades in involved in intra- and extracellular signaling. Testing such ideas requires access not only to expert histological processing and labeling, provided by VVRC, but also sophisticated high-resolution microscopy imaging platforms. The purpose of the VVRC Cell Imaging & Analysis Module is to provide a comprehensive resource for light and electron microscopy imaging and analysis by supplying support for leadership personnel of the Vanderbilt Cell Imaging Shared Resource (CISR), which includes the Nikon Center of Excellence housed in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (Medical Center North). This support translates on a dollar-for-dollar basis to scholarships issued to VVRC investigators applicable for all CISR services, including the Nikon Center for Excellence. This scholarship system is implemented by the VUMC Office of Research and is utilized instead of a discount or co-pay via the VUMC ILab accounting system. In the current funding cycle, the Cell Imaging & Analysis service contributed material for 57 publications involving 14 VVRC faculty authors, including 6 current NEI R01 holders. Projected use of the service module is considerable, with 10 of 16 current NEI R01 grant holders projecting moderate (7) to extensive (3) use of the core. Of our 7 members with NEI RO1 proposals in review, 6 will have nearly entirely extensive use of this service module. Two of four VVRC faculty with other NEI funding project moderate to extensive use while a select group 3 additional NIH-funded faculty project mostly extensive use. All told, 22/52 VVRC members will have moderate to extensive use (42%). The VVRC Cell Imaging & Analysis Module, housed in centralized locations sufficient for 23 independent microscopy platforms, is directed by Professor David J. Calkins, PhD. Using resources and personnel supported in part by this Core mechanism, the module will provide (1) a broad range of imaging modalities suitable for visual system tissues, (2) state-of-the-art image analysis software and data storage solutions, (3) consistent monitored access to imaging equipment and workstations, (4) imaging consultation on appropriate imaging modalities and sample pre-processing for visual system cell and tissue samples, and (5) training in the full spectrum of imaging modalities available in the CISR. These services and resources will enhance the scope of experimentation NEI-funded VVRC investigators conduct, expand the training of students and fellows involved in vision science, and promote collaboration by providing sophisticated, high- resolution and diverse imaging technology to those who otherwise would not have such capabilities, including early-career vision scientists and clinician-scientists competing for extramural funding for their laboratories.