# Molecular & Cellular Analysis Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2020 · $185,045

## Abstract

Molecular & Cellular Analysis Core
7. Project/Summary Abstract
The Molecular & Cellular Analysis Core was approved as a molecular biology/histology core in the last
competitive renewal and has been an active and critical core for many Core participants. Core participants
since the last grant renewal have demonstrated outstanding productivity publishing 159 papers. For the
proposed funding cycle, of the 11 moderate or extensive Core participants, seven are NEI R01-funded (64%)
and the other four are actively seeking new or continued NEI R01-funding. The two limited Core participants
proposed have NIH new investigator status and are actively seeking NEI R01 support. User needs have
progressed to require more advanced molecular analysis tools and expertise warranting several core
enhancements that have been made to meet these needs. Major institutional support has allowed the
purchase of new equipment or the upgrade of some of the key Core equipment to help meet user needs by
providing the most up to date equipment. The Core encompasses protein and nucleic analysis, histology, and
advanced microscopy imaging and analysis. Dr. Pittler, the Core Director is an expert in cell and molecular
biology, and biochemistry and will continue as the Core Director. Dr. Marina Gorbatyuk has been added as an
Associate Director to assist with Core governance and metrics analysis. She brings additional cell and
molecular and biochemical expertise including extensive experience with AAV production and use. In addition
to having advanced equipment for analysis, the Core has a highly educated, fully trained MD, PhD scientist,
Dr. Vincenzo Guarcello as the Laboratory Director. His broad knowledge and experience base and overall
scientific skill is a major asset. The Core equipment is primarily housed dedicated space in close proximity to
most users and is accessible 24/7. Conflicts in usage scheduling is minimized through a comprehensive online
scheduler for all major equipment. Outstanding institutional support has been critical in many ways: (1) to
provide the facilities that house Core equipment and an office for the laboratory director, (2) to maintain the
equipment, (3) to obtain new equipment to increase core capability and (4) to partially support the Laboratory
Director. Core usage is carefully monitored to ensure priority of use among Core participants as follows: NEI
R01-funded participants have first priority for use (1), followed by participants with NIH new investigator status
that are actively seeking an NEI R01 (2), then by participants that are collaborating as key personnel on an NEI
R01 and actively seeking lead PI NEI R01 support (3), and lastly by participants that have recently in the last
three years been NEI R01-funded and are actively seeking new NEI R01 support (4).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987610
- **Project number:** 5P30EY003039-40
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** STEVEN J PITTLER
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $185,045
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987610

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987610, Molecular & Cellular Analysis Core (5P30EY003039-40). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987610. Licensed CC0.

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