Project Summary Thirty-two Vision Science preceptors, members of the Vision Science Graduate Group from 7 different departments/11 programs on the U.C. Berkeley campus (optometry and vision science, psychology, molecular and cell biology, neurobiology, neuroscience, infectious disease and immunology, bioengineering, computer science, physics, electrical engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering), seek support for 10 predoctoral trainees and 1 postdoctoral trainee. Support is sought for 2 years of graduate training toward the PhD for the predoctoral trainees and for 3 years for the health-profession degree seeking trainee (OD, MD etc.) The interdisciplinary program in Vision Science has been in existence for over 80 years. The first PhD graduated in 1950. There are currently 1 postdoctoral (OD) and 32 predoctoral students engaged in studies leading to the PhD in Vision Science. In addition, there are 30 post-doctoral fellows currently training in the laboratories of the faculty of the Vision Science Graduate Group. Of the 284 trainees who have received research degree training in Vision Science (almost all PhD), the majority are now active vision researchers. Many have successfully competed for independent research funding. Our purpose is to attract outstanding trainees who will develop independent and productive vision research careers. Pre-doctoral and health profession degree trainees, most with additional formal basic science training (e.g., cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, epidemiology, or biostatistics), will earn Ph.D. (Vision Science) degrees. Each predoctoral trainee will receive stipend support during the first two years from the NIH Training Grant, supplemented by the Departmental and University fellowships. During the final three years, support will be provided entirely from resources of the University of California (primarily through individual faculty research grants). Health profession trainees will be supported for the first three years followed by other funding. Trainees will complete the formal course and teaching requirements and will be trained in laboratory research techniques in both basic sciences and vision science. The training is augmented by the extensive resources of the Berkeley campus and the technical support provided to the Vision Science Graduate Group and the NEI Core Grant.