Angiogenesis and Immunology
Nataliya Gordiyenko, Ph.D.
nataliya.gordiyenko@nih.gov

Bioengineering and Technology
Paek Lee, Ph.D.
paek.lee@nih.gov

Development and Regeneration
Ashley Fortress, Ph.D.
ashley.fortress@nih.gov
301-275-9944

Photoreceptor/RPE Biology
Cell and Molecular Technologies
Lisa A. Neuhold, Ph.D.
lneuhold@nei.nih.gov

Retinal Diseases
Tiffany Cook, Ph.D.
tiffany.cook@nih.gov

Retinal Neuroscience
Charles Wright, Ph.D.
charles.wright@nih.gov

The NEI supports a broad range of basic and clinical research to:

• Investigate the various antigenic and anti-angiogenic factors and their resultant signal transduction pathways
• Understand the role of immunity associated with transplantation and corneal graft destruction
• Investigate methods to regenerate corneal endothelial cells and improve techniques to maintain endothelial cells
• Increase our understanding of epithelial cell signaling in the cornea and develop strategies to improve the wound healing process
• Characterize the normal regulation of all tissue associated with tear component formation to identify the dysfunctions occurring in dry eye disease
• Identify the genes that contribute to the pathophysiology of all corneal disease
• Develop high-resolution imaging techniques to diagnose and guide treatment of common corneal disorders
• Understand keratoconus and treatment options
• Address outcomes for the aging population of post-refractive surgery patient

Ocular Pain

• Investigate the cornea nerves and response to pain
• Dissect molecular, cellular, anatomical and/or neurobiological mechanisms of ocular pain and hypersensitivity
• Elucidate the pathophysiology of ocular pain
• Uncover neural adaptations (such as plasticity) in related ocular pathologies including dry eye disease, photophobia (photoallodynia), ocular surface itch, corneal burns, orbital pain, and ocular trauma
• Optimize animal model studies directed at understanding eye pain
• Develop instrumentation for diagnosing and quantifying pain
• Investigate new approaches and therapeutics to treat and alleviate acute and chronic ocular pain

Program Directors

The NEI supports a broad range of basic and clinical research to:

• Understand the molecular, biochemical, cellular and biophysical bases of lens transparency
• Identify and characterize genes that cause congenital or age-related cataract in people or laboratory animal models
• Unravel the non-canonical functions of lenticular proteins especially crystallins, connexins and aquaporins
• Investigate genes, pathways, and gene regulatory networks that drive the process of lens induction and map the mechanisms by which the lens influences other tissues of the eye, especially during development
• Characterize the control of lens epithelial cell proliferation by identifying cell cycle regulators, growth factors, receptors and signal transduction pathways
• Apply systems biology approaches to lens physiology and pathophysiology in order to uncover gene-environment interactions that may confer susceptibility or resilience to age-related cataract
• Determine the efficacy of non-invasive optical techniques used in lens research, such as dynamic light scattering, for potential use as a prognostic indicator in neurological diseases
• Study the mechanisms of lens fibrosis in order to develop effective means of preventing or treating posterior capsule opacification (PCO)
• Dissect the basis of lens accommodation and presbyopia at the molecular and mechanistic levels
• Develop new approaches and potential therapeutics to prevent, delay or treat cataract

Program Director

The NEI supports a broad range of basic and clinical research to:

• Identify the genes that contribute to the pathophysiology of all the forms of glaucoma
• Establish a consensus definition of OAG (Open Angle Glaucoma) and standardize tools to assess its various phenotypes
• Develop an end-point measure for OAG
• Investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in aqueous humor dynamics including the inflow and outflow pathways and the tissues comprising them
• Explore neuroprotection as an approach for prolonging RGC function and survival
• Identify the specific antigenic targets of the aberrant immune response in uveitis and scleritis and determine the role of antigens derived from apoptotic cells in disease
• Identify genes, transcription factors, and signaling molecules involved in optic nerve degeneration/regeneration
• Develop experimental approaches comparing models that differ in their optic nerve regenerative capacity, such as fish versus mammal

Program Directors

The NEI supports a broad range of basic and clinical research to:

• Investigate multisensory processes, cross-modal plasticity, and cortical reorganization in visually impaired individuals
• Increase our understanding of different types of visual impairment (e.g., limited vision use) in complex or applied settings
• Create and validate vision tests relevant for the tasks of daily living and rehabilitative goals
• Design mobile assistive devices and navigation resources to enhance wayfinding
• Develop new adaptive technologies to improve access to internet, print, graphic display, and educational resources
• Characterize the level of acceptable visual enhancement using aids and prosthetics
• Identify co-morbidities that interact with vision impairment and their influence on rehabilitation needs and outcomes
• Develop and test visual rehabilitation models and training paradigms

Program Director

The NEI supports a broad range of basic and clinical research to:

• Improve understanding of the roles of neuronal activity and molecular events in the formation of central visual circuits during development
• Improve understanding of cortical and subcortical circuit interactions in the processing of visual information
• Discover the local circuit algorithms that form spatial/temporal representations and incorporate attentional or memory operations
• Develop new neural imaging technology and methods for combining imaging and electrophysiological data in order to improve spatial and temporal resolution
• Discover the mechanisms responsible for perceptual and motor stability during eye movements and develop strategies for using visual and oculomotor methods for diagnosing and treating visual symptoms associated with neurological disorders
• Study genetic factors underlying the biology of diseases of the visual system
• Develop and test pharmacological and behavioral methods for induction and improvement of plasticity in adults, as related to strabismus, amblyopia, and other disorders involving central visual processes
• Evaluate the efficacy of potential treatments for delaying the onset or for slowing the progression of myopia, such as lenses that alter peripheral defocus, pharmaceutical approaches, or behavioral methods that harness the beneficial effects of more time outdoors

Myopia

This topic spans several of the scientific programs of the NEI. Research in this area has been organized into a single overarching grant portfolio:

• Investigate the biochemical pathways that regulate eye growth
• Characterize the etiology of refractive errors
• Identify the genes and environmental factors that contribute to the development of refractive errors
• Develop new technologies for assessing or treating refractive errors

Program Directors

The NEI supports a broad range of basic and clinical research to:

• Test new agents, technologies and other interventions for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of eye diseases and/or improve vision-related quality of life
• Conduct population-based research to describe the prevalence of eye diseases across the life span and within and among divergent demographic groups
• Conduct studies to identify risk factors (both biological and social) for the development, persistence, and progression of eye diseases
• Conduct secondary data analyses utilizing existing database resources
• Conduct system-level health services research to improve vision health and/or reduce health disparities
• Develop new statistical methodology and tools appropriate for analyzing vision health data
• Develop new approaches to conducting clinical research studies including those that capitalize on point-of-care and electronic medical records
• Conduct research to develop nomenclature (e.g., common data elements) and quantitative methodologies to facilitate big data analytics

Program Directors

Eye Product Assistance Center

The Eye Product Assistance Center (EPAC) is an in-kind consulting service provided by the National Eye Institute (NEI). It is available to all investigators developing regulated products for diseases or disorders of the visual system.

Investigators do not need active NEI or NIH funding to request support. Requests are granted based on alignment with the NEI mission, the level of need, and the order of submission.

The EPAC consults on product development at any stage, from proof-of-concept to clinical trials, provided the effort is intended for a regulated medical product with a specific indication. Consultant support is available for activities such as:

• Needs assessment
• Device design, and prototyping
• Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC)
• Assay development and Biostatistics
• Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) and ADME
• Toxicology and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)
• Regulatory affairs and operations
• Medical writing and first-in-human trial planning

Please send completed forms to NEI_extramural@nih.gov AND tony.gover@nih.gov. Please include EPAC request, PI's name, and date in the subject line.

Form: Eye Product Assistance Center (EPAC) Request Form

For questions concerning the EPAC please contact tony.gover@nih.gov.

Center Core Grant Program

The NEI Center Core Grant Program (P30) provides funds for infrastructure support to NEI grantees. The purpose of this program is to afford resource and/or service cores to groups of NEI R01 investigators to enhance research activity, foster collaborations, and increase efficiencies by centralizing resources and technical expertise within a department/institution.

Key elements of the program are as follows:

• Requires a minimum of 8 active NEI-funded R01s
• Organized around discrete units or Cores that are managed through an Administrative Core led by the Principal Investigator
• Combines 3 or more Resource/Service Cores each led by a Director with appropriate expertise
• Offers shared equipment through each of the Resource Cores and serves technical expertise needs through the Service Cores
• Encourages institutional departments to contribute to Center Core facilities
• Provides two levels of support:
  • $2 million for 5 years of support for institutions with 8-19 R01 grants
  • $2.5 million for 5 years of support for institutions with 20 or more R01 grants
• Limits number of Center Core grants to 1 per institution

Conference Grants

The NEI Conference Grant Program (R13 and U13) provides funds for scientific meetings, symposia, workshops, and other organized meetings to exchange and disseminate information or explore and clarify a defined problem or area of knowledge directly related to the mission of the NEI.

Key elements of the program are as follows:

• Requires a “permission to submit” letter application receipt date, estimated requested budget, and draft agenda for the proposed meeting
• Places its highest priority on providing funds for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and/or newly appointed faculty members to participate in meetings
• Prohibits costs for food/meals (NIH Policy on Efficient Spending Related to Grants Supporting Conferences and Meetings - NOT-OD-12-041), speakers' fees or expenses, and F&A
• Strongly encourages the appropriate representation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in the planning, implementation, and participation in the proposed conference
• Limits eligibility to domestic institutions and organizations and gives preference to meetings held at U.S. sites
• Supports international conferences only through the U.S. representative organization of an established scientific or professional society
• Requires that all conference materials include an acknowledgement of NIH grant support

Program Directors

The NEI Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) (R43/R44) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) (R41/R42) programs provide early-stage capital for innovative small U.S. companies for the purpose of engaging in federal Research & Development (R&D) that has a strong potential for commercialization. Both the SBIR and STTR programs are divided into three phases, however, only the first two received federal funds. Phase I is the Feasibility and Proof of Concept stage, which establishes the technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed Research and Development (R&D) project and also determines the quality of performance of the small business. Phase II is the Research and Development stage, which continues the R&D work initiated in Phase I and brings the project to an advanced level, approaching commercialization. Phase III is the Commercialization stage, where the small business pursues commercialization objectives to bring the product to market with non SBIR/STTR funds.

Key elements of the SBIR and STTR programs are as follows:

• Allows for a wide range of topics and innovative projects with strong science/technology, and high commercialization potential
• Provides funding for three phases depending on performance:
  • Phase I Feasibility grant: 6 months to 2 years and $323,090 (total costs)
  • Phase II R&D grant: 2 years and $2,153,927 (total costs)
  • Phase IIB Competing Renewal R&D grant for projects that need extraordinary time & effort in the R&D stage to develop such projects: 2 years and $2,153,927 (total costs)
• Offers distinct technical assistance programs to SBIR Phase I and Phase II awardees which include a Niche Assessment Program and a Commercialization Acceleration Program
• Gives access to the NIH Regulatory Assistance Program, which aids in the procurement of consultants knowledgeable in the federal regulatory process necessary for the approval of new drugs and devices and helps grantees bring innovative vision and eye care products to the marketplace more efficiently

Program Director