# Genetic Models of Ocular Disease and Biostatistics

> **NIH NIH P30** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $184,945

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY - GENETIC MODELS OF OCULAR DISEASE & BIOSTATISTICS
The Genetic Models of Ocular Disease & Biostatistics module (formerly Molecular Genetics and Biostatistics)
has been a mainstay providing essential support to NEI-funded PIs at the Casey Eye Institute. The overall goal
of this module is to provide support for answering fundamental questions about the genetic mechanisms behind
ocular disease. In the past, this core has provided two services: (1) DNA isolation from blood samples, saliva
and tissue. Having a dedicated facility for the isolation of DNA ensures maximal DNA yield from patient material
and reduces exposure to hazardous biological materials; 2) support for biostatistical analyses, which allows NEI
investigators access to the most advanced statistical techniques ensuring that the appropriate methods are used
both in the study design phase as well as for data analysis. Projects include analysis of complex gene expression
arrays and RNA-seq datasets, large proteomics studies using TMT tags, optical coherence tomography (OCT)
and OCT angiography (OCTA), bioinformatics and clinical research studies. While maintaining these two critical
services, the Genetic Models of Ocular Disease & Biostatistics core has been expanded to offer two additional
resources: (3) genotyping of cell, tissue and biological samples from a variety of species (including human, non-
human primates, rat, mouse and pig). Genotyping using the QuantStudio real-time PCR machine and TaqMan
chemistry is more cost-effective than traditional Sanger DNA sequencing; and (4) Establishing primary cell
cultures from ocular tissues, as well as fibroblasts from patients with ocular disease. In the age of precision
medicine, it is important to offer core services that reflect individual variability in genes and identifying gene
variants associated with various ocular diseases. Moreover, offering both cell culture and genotyping services
allows functional genotype-phenotype studies to be performed. Combined, these four services will enable our
researchers to streamline their efforts to identify new molecular pathways involved in disease and should
catalyze innovative avenues of ocular research to rapidly translate novel ideas from bench to patient bedside.
Continuation of the Genetic Models of Ocular Disease & Biostatistics core will be instrumental in assisting new,
as well as established, investigators at OHSU in obtaining NEI funding in the next 5 years.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10925213
- **Project number:** 5P30EY010572-30
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Mary K Wirtz
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $184,945
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-05-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10925213

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10925213, Genetic Models of Ocular Disease and Biostatistics (5P30EY010572-30). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10925213. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*