# Histology Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $75,080

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: HISTOLOGY SERVICE 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 based on whole
tissue analysis, single cell labeling, and localization of molecular components of biochemical cascades in
involved in intra- and extracellular signaling. Such inferences require access to expert histological processing
and labeling. The purpose of the VVRC Histology Module is to provide a comprehensive service for all tissue
preparation, sectioning and staining/labeling for investigator laboratories needing supplemental provision in
these areas not covered by staff members supported by their individual grants. In the current funding period
the histology service trained 15 staff members and 10 students/fellows and contributed material for 17
investigators, 10 of whom authored 41 publications using the service. Availability of this module during the
current period saved VVRC investigators $262,184 in histology services. A survey of researcher plans
indicates that the use of this service will increase, with moderate to extensive use by 21 of 36 VVRC
investigators. The histology module, housed in the research space of the Department of Ophthalmology &
Visual Sciences/Vanderbilt Eye Institute, is directed by VVRC Director and P30 Primary Investigator David
Calkins, PhD. Using this space and personnel supported in part by this Core mechanism, the VVRC Histology
Module will: (1) assist or supervise preparation of visual system tissues suitable for sectioning; provide a broad
range of (2) tissue embedding capabilities and (3) sectioning of visual system structures; (4) support a diverse
array of histological and immuno-labeling stains; (5) provide access to automated conventional microscopy and
image processing software; and (6) train members of the vision research community on basic histological
techniques. 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 histological support to those who otherwise would not have such capabilities,
including early-career vision scientists and clinician-scientists competing for extramural funding for their
laboratories.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10246447
- **Project number:** 5P30EY008126-34
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** David J. Calkins
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $75,080
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-04-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10246447

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10246447, Histology Core (5P30EY008126-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10246447. Licensed CC0.

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