SUMMARY/ABSTRACT - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY CORE The major function of the University of Michigan Vision Research Center’s Molecular Biology Core (MBC) is to provide access to and training for small and large equipment that allows modern cellular and molecular biology approaches as they apply to vision science. The MBC provides required instruction, maintenance and training for equipment and instrumentation required for modern molecular approaches in cell culture, stem cell and transgenic animal studies in a cost-effective manner. The Core acquires, maintains and replaces shared major laboratory equipment and ensures fair access to the equipment according to Vision Research Center priorities. The Core's equipment is housed in several rooms and hallway equipment bays that together comprise approximately 2000 square feet of dedicated space on the 7th floor of the Brehm Tower and the 2nd floor of the Kellogg Research Tower. Instruments maintained include: flow cytometry; DNA and RNA quantification and quality assessment by spectrophotometer, tape station and Nanodrop; quantitative real time PCR; multi-well plate readers; centrifugation and ultra-centrifugation; back up freezers for emergency and temporary sample storage during routine freezer defrosting and freezer temperature tracking system. In addition, the MBC also provides access to a new 200 square foot human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) laboratory located on the 7th floor of the Brehm Tower. Vision researchers at the University of Michigan have access to a Human Stem Cell and Gene Editing Core (HSCGE Core), which provides human induced pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) reprogramming, stem cell characterization and differentiation, and genome editing. The new facilities will allow vision research scientists who are interested in retinal regenerative medicine to carry out experiments with hPSC as well as cells and tissue derived from hPSC. The MBC was utilized moderately or extensively by 15 vision investigators during the past 5 years, including 8 NEI R01 holders. Based on a recent survey, 15 vision investigators anticipate using the MBC to a moderate or extensive degree in the next funding period, with 7 expecting to make use of the PSC laboratories.