Core Grant for Vision Research

University Of Rochester, Rochester NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Center for Visual Science (CVS) at the University of Rochester is an interdepartmental institute that brings together vision scientists who share the conviction that the visual system can only be understood through the combined effort of scientists from different disciplines. The expertise of the CVS faculty spans psychophysical, physiological, computational, anatomical, and clinical approaches to visual science. The role of the Core is to integrate these approaches into a coordinated research effort. Since the last competitive review 5 years ago, CVS has grown from 14 to 25 members, largely by reinvigorating our ranks with talented young scientists. Over the same time period, total funding for vision research at Rochester has grown 2.7 times and the environment for vision research at Rochester has never been stronger. The NEI Core Grant leverages funding for vision research, increases efficiency and productivity, increases the ability to attract highly-skilled technical staff, increases collaborative research, helps to develop shared techniques and instrumentation, and attracts scientists from other disciplines. The Core will support three modules: The Computing Module provides expertise in the generation of complex visual stimuli for psychophysical and physiological experiments, real-time experimental control, data analysis, and modeling. The Instrumentation Module provides expertise in optical, electronic, and mechanical engineering to design, assemble, maintain, and repair novel devices for vision research. The Histology Module provides a shared facility to process both ocular and brain tissue.