Laura Frishman - US grants

Recent studies have identified two responses from proximal retina of the cat not previously observed in mammals: a light-adapted response - the M-wave, and a dark-adapted response termed the scotopic threshold response (STR). These responses can be used to study proximal retinal function and there is evidence that they contribute to the flash ERG and pattern ERG (PERG). Our goals are to obtain a clearer understanding of the cellular mechanisms of these responses and to determine how they contribute to the flash and pattern ERG. Specific experiments will (1) characterize and differentiate the M-wave and STR with regard to rod vs cone contributions, effect of retinal eccentricity, and spatial and temporal frequency response; (2) investigate the mechanisms of these responses in terms of a potassium mediated Muller cell hypothesis of their origin and the retinal circuits that contribute to the changes in (K+)o; (3) evaluate the amplitude and polarity of the contributions of the M-wave to the photopic flash ERG and the PERG; (4) evaluate the contribution of the STR to the scotopic flash ERG. The method will be to record intraretinally in the cat with microelectrodes and K+-sensitive microelectrodes, and also to record the flash and pattern ERG from the vitreous. The quantitative techniques previously applied to retinal ganglion cells for measuring spatial and temporal frequency response and characterizing the linear and nonlinear response mechanisms will be used. Selected pharmacological agents known to effect proximal retinal synaptic transmission, spike discharge, K+ conductance, glial cells, and on and off circuits will be utilized to test the Muller cell hypothesis, to investigate the retinal circuitry, and to assess the contribution of the STR to the flash ERG, and the M-wave to the flash and PERG. It has long been thought that the waves of the mammalian ERG within 2-3 seconds after onset of illumination all originate in distal retina. There is increasing evidence that currents from proximal retina also contribute to the initial portion of the ERG, and to the PERG. There is sufficient similarity between human and cat ERG and PERG to indicate that the present studies of proximal retina will enhance our understanding of the origin of human responses and, hopefully increase their clinical value, particularly for diagnosing and following diseases affecting proximal retina.

biomedical equipment purchase;

PARENT ABSTRACT (CORE ABSTRACT NOT PROVIDED) DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This NEI P30 award provides ongoing and stable funding for four high quality and productive vision research service Modules: Instrument Design, Research Computer Programming, Biostatistics and Biological Imaging. These Modules are run by an exceptionally talented staff that has from 2 to 15 years of experience in our Core Center for Vision Research. The Modules provide needed research services to a present group of 23 Core Center vision scientists from 5 departments of the University of Houston (Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Electrical Engineering, and Optometry). These Core vision scientists have diverse training and research interests, they collaborate effectively with each other, as well as with some 100 other vision researchers at this University and at other institutions. Together, our 23 Core Center investigators have 13 qualifying NEI-funded grants. The College of Optometry and University of Houston provide considerable additional commitments in support of vision research. During the past 5 years of P30 funding at this University, the Core Center has created an unusually favorable vision-research environment that has directly contributed to 138 published papers and culminated in the recruitment of 9 new vision investigators, 7 of whom currently have NIH funding, including 3 who have new NEI funding. These accomplishments reflect our Core Center's previous and current aims that focus on stable funding, quality research services, collaborative research, innovative research, new vision researchers, and new projects converting into NIH and NEI support. Especially emphasized in the coming 5 years will be innovative research (e. g., adaptive optics) and recruitment of vision researchers to fill our current 3 open basic science positions, as well as other positions in the future.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This NEI P30 award provides ongoing and stable funding for four high quality and productive vision research service Modules: Instrument Design, Research Computer Programming, Biostatistics and Biological Imaging. These Modules are run by an exceptionally talented staff that has from 2 to 15 years of experience in our Core Center for Vision Research. The Modules provide needed research services to a present group of 23 Core Center vision scientists from 5 departments of the University of Houston (Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Electrical Engineering, and Optometry). These Core vision scientists have diverse training and research interests, they collaborate effectively with each other, as well as with some 100 other vision researchers at this University and at other institutions. Together, our 23 Core Center investigators have 13 qualifying NEI-funded grants. The College of Optometry and University of Houston provide considerable additional commitments in support of vision research. During the past 5 years of P30 funding at this University, the Core Center has created an unusually favorable vision-research environment that has directly contributed to 138 published papers and culminated in the recruitment of 9 new vision investigators, 7 of whom currently have NIH funding, including 3 who have new NEI funding. These accomplishments reflect our Core Center's previous and current aims that focus on stable funding, quality research services, collaborative research, innovative research, new vision researchers, and new projects converting into NIH and NEI support. Especially emphasized in the coming 5 years will be innovative research (e. g., adaptive optics) and recruitment of vision researchers to fill our current 3 open basic science positions, as well as other positions in the future. [unreadable] [unreadable]

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term objectives of the proposed short-term training program are: 1) to inspire commitment to research careers in vision science among optometry students, including women and underrepresented minorities, and 2) to foster a better understanding of vision research. The specific aim is to increase the number of clinician scientists who can do basic and translational investigative work on vision disorders through early exposure to research. The program has operated successfully since 1985. 200 optometry students have trained, including 113 women, 73 underrepresented minorities and 30 students from 8 other optometry schools. The program provides opportunities for academically qualified and interested students to spend 3 months learning to formulate testable vision-research questions and to develop research skills by doing a research project mentored by 1 of 21 experienced vision scientists. The mentors'research programs fall into the following broad areas: 1) visual development, plasticity and aging;2) visual optics and refractive error, 3) oculomotor systems;4) visual structure and function;5) visual cell and molecular biology 6) clinical optometry;7) spatial vision, 8) binocular vision. 17 optometry students will be recruited during each of the next 5 years. Selection will be based on scholarship, particularly in sciences, as well as on research interest, potential, and experience, with special consideration given to underrepresented minorities. Trainees will be 1st - or 2nd-yr optometry students, with a few 3rd-yrs, making special arrangements in this largely clinical year. In addition to research, trainees will take: 1) a 2-hr course on research ethics, design, and methodology 2) a 1-hr weekly seminar given by local and visiting vision scientists, and 3) for credit or audit, any UH graduate course in physiological optics. Trainees will have access to first-rate facilities and resources: 14,000 sq ft of well-equipped basic and clinical research space, a full scope of technical services (bioimaging, computing, instrumentation, biostatistics), animal quarters, and a well stocked vision science library with full electronic access - all in a modern 140,000 sq ft building on a major university campus. Public Health: The proposed short term training program for optometry students will improve visual health by increasing the number of clinician scientists doing basic and translational research on vision disorders. The program encourages participation by underrepresented minorities in vision care and science.

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Short Term Training in Health Professional Schools The long-term objectives of the proposed short-term training program are: 1) to inspire commitment to research careers in vision science among optometry students, including women and underrepresented groups, and 2) to foster a better understanding of vision research. The specific aim is to increase the number of clinician scientists who can do basic, clinical and translational investigative work on vision disorders through early exposure to research. The program has operated successfully since 1985. More than 350 optometry students have trained, including 30 students from underrepresented minority groups in the past decade, and 36 students overall from 10 optometry schools other than the University of Houston. The program provides opportunities for academically qualified and motivated students to spend 3 months learning to formulate testable vision-research questions and to develop research skills by doing a research project mentored by 1 of 20 experienced vision scientists. The mentors' research programs fall into the following broad areas: 1) visual development, plasticity, repair and aging; 2) visual optics and refractive error, 3) ocular surface 3) oculomotor systems; 4) structure and function in normal and diseased eyes and visual pathways; 5) visual cell and molecular biology 6) spatio-temporal vision, 8) binocular vision. 15 optometry students will be recruited during each of the next 5 years for NEI fellowships, another 2 or more supported by local funds for the program. Selection will be based on scholarship, particularly in sciences, as well as on research interest, potential, and experience. Trainees will generally be 1st - yr optometry students. In addition to research, trainees will participate in: 1) a 2-hr course on responsible conduct of research, research design, and methodology and communication of findings 2) a 1-hr weekly seminar given by local and visiting vision scientists, and 3) lab meetings and journal clubs. Trainees will have access to first-rate facilities and resources: 23,500 sq ft of well-equipped basic and clinical/translational research space, a full scope of technical services (bio-imaging, research computer programming, instrumentation, biostatistics), animal vivarium, and a vision science library with full electronic access - all in a modern buildings on a major university campus.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This NEI PSO Center Core Grant for Vision Research provides ongoing and stable funding for four high quality and productive vision research service Modules: Instrument Design, Research Computer Programming, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, and Biological Imaging. These Modules are run by an exceptionally talented staff that has long-term experience in supporting and advancing vision research at the University of Houston. The Modules provide needed research services to the present group of Core vision scientists who come from four departments at the University of Houston (Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Clinical Sciences and Vision Sciences in Optometry). These Core vision scientists have diverse training and research interests; they collaborate effectively with one another, as well as with more than 100 other vision researchers at this University or other institutions. Together, our Core Center investigators have 11 qualifying NEI-funded grants, as well as other NEI funding. The College of Optometry and University of Houston provide considerable additional commitments in support of vision research. During the past five years of P30 funding at this University, the Core Grant has created a favorable vision research environment that has contributed directly to 138 published papers and culminated in the recruitment of eight additional investigators to the group of Core vision scientists, four of whom brought NEI funding. The Core Grant also was crucial to the success of a clinician (OD) in obtaining new NEI funding for mentored clinician scientists. These accomplishments reflect our vision research Core's previous and current aims that focus on advancing collaborative and innovative basic, clinical and translational research to advance knowledge and prevent or cure disease. For these aims the Core grant provides stable funding, quality research services, new vision researchers, and new projects converting into NIH and NEI support. Especially emphasized in the coming five years will be innovative research basic, clinical and translational research and recruitment of vision researchers to fill our current open positions, as well as other positions in the future.

The Administrative Core supervises and manages the Center Core Grant for Vision Research at the University of Houston that serves Core investigators in the College of Optometry Vision and Clinical Sciences, and in Biomedical Engineering. It oversees, coordinates and integrates the activities of the four resource/service modules. Direction of the Core and its modules is the responsibility of the PI, and the Core Executive Committee that the PI chairs. The Executive Committee is composed of the Directors of the four Core Modules, and two additional NEI-funded Core investigators who represent participating department and institute interests. The Core Executive Committee establishes and oversees guidelines for utilization of Core Modules, including setting priorities for work requests to the Modules. It reviews Module access and utilization, budget and policy, conflicts and other problems, to make decisions requiring interpretation or establishment of policy and to plan strategy for future growth. The Executive committee formally meets three times a year, once in each University term. The Fall meeting is open to all Core investigators and the Winter/Spring meeting includes the full Advisory Committee which, in addition to the Executive Committee, includes External Advisors who were selected for their wisdom and expertise in science and administration. The Administrative Core has necessary staff support with dedicated time, drawn from full-time staff in the College of Optometry: a Core Financial Coordinator who provides the full scope of grants management and monthly budget reports to the Core, and staff to arrange Executive (and Advisory) Committee meetings and other core events, do ordering for the Modules, communicate with Core investigators about requests for maintenance and repairs, track timelines for maintenance contracts for Core equipment, and monitor compliance requirements for Core investigators. The Administrative Core is directed by Dr. Laura Frishman (John and Rebecca Moores Professor), a retinal physiologist with 14 years' service as the Core PI.