# Histology and Pathology

> **NIH NIH P30** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $112,858

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: HISTOLOGY & PATHOLOGY SERVICE MODULE
 The Vanderbilt Vision Research Center (VVRC) includes faculty investigators with a strong interest in
discerning structure-function relationships in the visual pathways, both in health and disease. 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. 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 9 students/fellows and contributed material for 46 publications involving 13 VVRC faculty
authors. Projected use of the service module is considerable, with 12 of 16 current NEI R01 grant holders
projecting moderate (6) to extensive (6) histological needs. All told, 25/52 VVRC members will have
moderate to extensive use (48%), the remaining being cognitive neuroscientists or biochemists.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:** 10939141
- **Project number:** 2P30EY008126-37
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** David J. Calkins
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $112,858
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-04-01 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10939141

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10939141, Histology and Pathology (2P30EY008126-37). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10939141. Licensed CC0.

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