Abstract: CORE B. BIOSTATISTICS, BIOINFORMATICS AND GENETIC ANALYSIS (BBGA) The Ohio State University Vision Sciences Research Core Program (OSU-VSRCP) has established scientific connections among the vision researchers across five academic units (i.e., College of Medicine (COM), College of Optometry (COO), College of Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Arts and Sciences) and newly engaged Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Program Director (PD) Dr. Moroi has support and commitment from Deans and Chairs for equipment, data science, space, new and existing programs to enhance collaborations among NEI-funded PIs, facilitate gathering pilot data for future PIs, and subsidizes cost for access to the High-Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC) that is maintained by the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC), which is relevant for Core B. The synergy among the vision research community has been established with a monthly meeting group called ViSOR (Vision Sciences OSU Research). Synergy between the Cores has been defined with a Steering Committee, which is composed of the PD, Core Directors and Co- directors. This synergy between Cores will coincide with the monthly ViSOR meetings, and ad hoc as needed for operational issues and future equipment purchases. In addition, an Advisory Group has been established to give guidance to the Steering Committee. Core B, BBGA Core has two aims: Aim 1. Provide analytical assistance for analyses of vision research data. The BBGA Core will provide analytical expertise for research data arising from clinic-based and genetic studies, such as whole-exome sequence, whole-genome sequencing, bulk RNA-Seq, and scRNA-Seq projects. The biostatistics staff will work with investigators of clinical research projects to design well-powered studies; assist in data management; and provide rigorous statistical analysis, including the appropriate methodology to deal with the intricacies of the correlation of two eyes. Aim 2. Provide consultation, training, and access to specialized software for genetic analyses of vision research data. The BBGA Core Director and staff will provide tailored consultations to users for planning and conducting their genetics research and analyses. Best practices will be promoted for study design, sample size estimation, and power calculation for bioinformatic and genetic components of grant applications. Training in the use of and access to specialized software for genetics and genomics analyses will be available. The added values are access to skilled experts in vision science genetics, the latest computation facilities, and specialized software for genetic analysis. This proposed P30 Core B, BBGA intends to maximize efficiency, offer centralized access to equipment and expertise that would be difficult, costly or impractical to duplicate in individual labs, and use protocols to ensure best practices to perform science at the highest standard. The expected outcome is increased collaboration for s...