Download Core Vision Research at the Eye and Ear Institute

Core Vision Research at the Eye and Ear Institute
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The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh’s Eye and Ear Institute has long held a
prestigious competitive Core Facility grant award from the National Eye Institute. This funding has supported
our vision researchers with specialized expertise and equipment for over two decades, and contributes
substantially to the Department’s reputation as a world class leader in vision research.
What does the Core offer?
The Core has five modules offering expertise and access to resources for different areas of research needs: (1)
Imaging Acquisition & Analysis, (2) Tissue Culture & Histology, (3) Genomics, Proteomics & Molecular
Biology, (4) Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting and (5) Custom Fabrication. Each module is staffed by a full-time
dedicated research specialist, called the Module Supervisor, and it is overseen by a faculty-level Module Director
(see reverse for details).
Can I use the Core?
The Core is available to all eligible Participating Investigators. A researcher qualifies as a Participating
Investigator if they work at the University of Pittsburgh and are studying vision research. Others may utilize the
Core's services only if they partner in a collaboration with a qualifying Participating Investigator who contributes
funding, not merely consultation or advisory support.
Who gets priority for Core time and resources?
Since many investigators use the Core, the time that the Core personnel can devote to individual requests is
limited, and specialized equipment must be shared. In general, usage is given to approved projects on a firstcome-first-served basis. Among eligible users, those with R01 funding from the National Eye Institute receive
priority over those without.
How do the Module Supervisors provide support?
All modules provide personnel training for equipment use and technical skill transfer, and all will consult on
experimental design and data analyses. Certain modules will perform the benchwork itself on your behalf, time
and resources permitting. Such benchwork is negotiated on a project-to-project basis.
How do I get my project approved?
The Module Supervisors generally plan their own work schedules, so you can communicate your needs directly
to them. In order to receive the Director’s approval, you will need to provide the Supervisor with information
about the vision-related grant that funds this aspect of your project, and any associated institutional protocol
numbers (e.g. IACUC, IBC, DNA/RNA usage, etc.).
What do I need to pay for?
Labor is provided at no cost to the Participating Investigator. This includes time the Core Supervisor spends
doing benchwork, evaluating data, and training personnel. Supplies, however, are often the responsibility of the
Participating Investigator, and the policies for individual modules vary.
What are my responsibilities as a Core user?
You must agree to acknowledge your utilization of the Core by citing the core grant for vision research -P30
EY08098 - on your posters, in your talks, and in your manuscripts. Also, the individual modules each have rules
for the proper use and care of Core equipment, which you will be expected to follow.
Image Acquisition & Analysis
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
Whole-mount, section, and live-cell microscopy
Digital imaging for stationary specimens
Phase, Darkfield, and Light field systems
Confocal and fluorescent microscopy systems
Automated real-time imaging and micromanipulation
Time-lapse and z-stacks over multiple stage positions
Software training for Metamorph, Image-J, and Photoshop
Writing software for specialized analyses
Microscopy theory and equipment training
Troubleshooting problems
Gel imaging systems
CO-DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR
Kira Lathrop, MAMS
1026 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 647-3492
[email protected]
Dr. Ian A. Sigal, PhD
930 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 864-2220
[email protected]
Dr. Larry Kagemann, PhD
834 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 648-6409
[email protected]
Tissue Culture & Histology
Immortalized cell culture
Primary cell culture from ocular tissues
Hybridoma growth and supernatant harvest
Human embryonic stem cells
Virus amplification, purification, and titering
Cell banking
Formalin fixation
Cryostat embedding and sectioning (8-30um)
Paraffin embedding and sectioning (5-10 um)
Immunohistochemistry
H&E and other counter stains
SUPERVISOR
DIRECTOR
Katherine Davoli
928 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 647-8256
[email protected]
Dr. James L. Funderburgh, PhD
1013 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 647-3853
[email protected]
Genomics, Proteomics & Molecular Biology
Realtime and quantitative PCR*
Gene chip arrays*
Prep and analysis of DNA and RNA*
Preparation and screening of phage libraries†
Generation of subtractive libraries†
DNA mutagenesis and expression†
DNA-protein, and protein-protein interactions†
RNA mapping and accurate quantification†
Virus vector design and derivation†
Immunoprecipitations†
2D and 3D Western blots†
*SUPERVISOR
†DIRECTOR
Dr. Stephen Harvey, PhD
1014 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 647-8919
[email protected]
Dr. Paul R. Kinchington PhD
1016 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 647-6319
[email protected]
SUPERVISOR
DIRECTOR
Nancy Zurowski
1048 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 647-1413
[email protected]
Dr. Robert L. Hendricks, PhD
922 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 647-5754
[email protected]
Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting
Cytometer equipment maintenance
Personnel training
Fluorochrome selection consultation
Sample fixation
Gating selection for optimal results
Live and fixed cell sorting
Plot creation and data analysis
Statistical validation for side populations
Custom Fabrication
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
3D printing
Prototyping
3D scanning/digitizing
Custom metalwork and machining
Laser-cutting
Access to Swanson Center in Bioengineering
DIRECTOR
Dr. Matthew A. Smith, PhD
914 Eye & Ear Institute
(412) 647-2313
[email protected]