# Instrument Shop Module

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2020 · $158,733

## Abstract

SUMMARY/ABSTRACT - Instrument Shop Module
The Instrument Shop Module significantly enhances the research environment by working closely with
investigators from disparate scientific areas of vision research to design and construct unique, non-
commercially available, instruments and devices that are required to successfully complete NEI-supported
research projects. The Module's expertise in the design and construction of specialized instruments and
devices also serves to facilitate the research programs of highly qualified investigators preparing to become
PIs on NEI grants. In addition, the Instrument Shop Module provides an instrument repair service that is used
by many participants of the Vision Research Core and serves to minimize disruptions in NEI-funded vision
research. Finally, the Module constructs unique devices for the Functional Assessment Module and the
Morphology and Imaging Module, which allows these Modules to meet the specific needs of investigators. The
Instrument Shop Module is housed in 763 sq. ft. of dedicated space in the W.K. Kellogg Eye Center and is
equipped with a Sharp CNC (computer numerical control) lathe, a Bridgeport CNC milling machine, a metal
vertical band saw, a Tennsmith squaring shear, a Tennsmith hand brake, and access to a Zortrax M200 3D
printer. To aid in instrument design and to increase efficiency in fabrication processes, the Module utilizes the
SolidWorks CAD system. The Module's full-time Instrument Maker designs and fabricates mechanical
instruments such as micromanipulators, translation stages, heating systems, microscope adapters, light
sources and environmentally-controlled animal housing boxes. In addition, numerous uniquely specialized
items are created with Plexiglas (for example, zebrafish and mouse positioning devices and perfusion
chambers for performing electrophysiological recordings and imaging). During the prior funding period, the
Instrument Shop Module was extensively utilized by 6 participating investigators with another 4 being moderate
users. In the next funding period, 9 participating investigators anticipate using the Module to a moderate or
extensive degree.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10001516
- **Project number:** 5P30EY007003-34
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** DONALD G PURO
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $158,733
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-05-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10001516

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10001516, Instrument Shop Module (5P30EY007003-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10001516. Licensed CC0.

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