Mission: The mission of the Culver Vision Discovery Institute is to engage in high
impact research and discovery related to visual function and disease the outcome of
which is expected to have far-reaching clinical applications for patients suffering
from blindness and visual disorders.
Research emphasis: Leading causes of blindness worldwide include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract,
age-related macular degeneration, and corneal disruption. At Augusta University, we
have a number of basic scientists and clinicians who are investigating many of these
devastating diseases. Members of the Culver Vision Discovery Institute include faculty members from the Augusta University Medical College of Georgia, College
of Allied Health Services, Dental College of Georgia and College of Graduate Studies.
To achieve the mission of the Culver Vision Discovery Institute, we are committed
to fostering interactions among the members of our group. We welcome MCG colleagues
and members of the community to participate in The Vision Discovery Institute Distinguished
Seminar Series and Ophthalmology Grand Rounds. Currently we have courses for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows including
Fundamentals of Vision Science and Current topics in Vision Science. We have a Pilot Project program that supports basic science-clinical collaborations leading to larger extramural awards
for vision-related diseases. We now offer all vision researchers access to services/expertise/equipment
available through the NEI Center Core Grant for Vision Research (P30) and the individual modules within the P30: Module 1: Visual function assessment, Module 2: Histology and Imaging and Module 3: Gene Expression and Proteomics.
The Culver Vision Discovery Institute is co-directed by Dr. Steven Brooks, William
S. Hagler, MD Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia
and Dr. Yutao Liu, Professor in the department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy. If
you wish to contact them regarding the mission or activities of the Culver Vision
Discovery Institute, you may send an email to Ms. Heide Andrews or you may call the Vision Discovery Institute at 706-721-3731. The administrative duties of the Vision Discovery Institute are managed by Ms. Heide
Andrews and Ms. Jenny Roberts (jroberts@augusta.edu).
This new database will help eliminate that problem and includes data from 307 human AH samples, comprehensive information on 1,683 proteins identified in the AH, as well as relevant clinical data for each analyzed sample.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is among the most common illnesses that affect premature or low birth-weight infants and is a major cause of long-term vision impairment and blindness.