The Wellcome Trust Eighteenth Report (1988-1989)

WELLCOWL TRUSTVISION RESEARCH WORKING PARTYI'rofessor S M Zeki, I'liD, FRS, (Chairnian), University Collcge. LondonProfessor Sir Statilcy I'eart, MI), FIICI'. FRS, Wellcome TmstceProfessor N Asliron. CUE, 13Sc. FRCI', FRCS, FRCPatli, FRS, Institute of Oplitlialniology,LondonProfessor A C Bird. MI). FRCS, Institute of Oplitlialii~ology, Lotidoil131 II F Hess. MSc, l'li13, University of CambridgeProfessor ï3 II Jolies. MU. FRCI'. FRCS. Institute ofOplithalmology, Loiidoii1)r T I) Lamb. l'hi). University ofCanibridgeProfessor K H Riiddock. PIID, DIC. ARCS, Imperial College of Science, Technology andMedicine. LondonStaff members responsibleI)r I) Gordon, MA, MU, FRCI', (Scientific Secretary)Anne Edwards. (Administrative Secretary)VISION RESEARCHVISION RESCARCMThe Vision Research Working Party is now well esrablished as the Trustees' advisory body on allaspects of the clinical and basic sciences relating to the visual system. During this year. a largenumber of applicatioiis were considered. and the range of work being supported on tlierecomniendation of the Working Party is shown in the list ofgnnts awarded.The Working Party awarded a total of Sl.l9ni, excluding longer-term support, during theperiod under review, Sl50 O00 more than for 1987/88 (figures in parenthais for comparison).About38per cent ofthe total requests wercrhereforefunded. Inall. 54 (51) applications forgnntswere considered and 29 (26) were awarded in part or in full.There lias been a growing intercst in thc application of new nietliods of molecular biology tostudy normal aiid abnormal visual funcrion. Dr D M Hunt and Dr J K Uowniaker, of QumMary College. London, in collaboration with DrJ D Mollon ofthe University ofcambridge, arcapplying niolccular biological methods to elucidate the underlying biochemical faults inabnormalities of tlie cone pigniciits subserving colour vision. Dr S S Uliattacliarya and hiscolleagues. of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. have support for a nuuibcr of projectsstudying rhc molecular genetic basis ofthosc disorders of vision where a gnictic basis has longbeen recognised using classical methods ofgeiietics. such as some fornis ofretinitis pigmentosa.11ii~iig the period of tlie last report, three grants for longer-term support of programmc; ofresearch in vision were awarded. in tlic year under review, tlieoiily grant oftliis type wasawardedto Professor R W Giiillery. ofthe Department ofHunian Anatomy in Osford. Profasor Guilleryaiid his teani arc studying the derailed connections of the visual pathway through the iatcralgeniculatc body, using the most modern nmhods ofncuromatoniy.The Trustces are parricnlarly concerned to stiniolatc research in vision by providingopportunities for research training. in the last report, a disappointitig fall in applicatioiis for VisionIIescarcli Fellowsliips was noted. This ims rcvcrscd in the current year whm 21 applications forthçsc fellowships were received, aiid a nuniber of outstanding fellowship appointments weremade, as noted on pages 92 and 93. The Trust has capcrience of providing support for rnnrchtraining schenics for registrars on clinical rotations. the purpose being to allow six nionth sccondinetitsfor ~ese~rch exprrience. Support of rhis type bcgaii in the Depanmerit ofPsychiarry in theUniversity ofOsford. and earlier reports have described the success ofthis sclieme in stimulatingyoung psycliiatrists of high ability to apply for extended research training fellowships. Some oftliose supported are now in senior academic positions in university departments of psychiatry.Tlic Workiiig Party considered aiid warnily rccomniendcd an application to support a similarsclieme for oplithalniologists in tniiiiiig at the Institute ofOphthalniology in London.Liiroign"ü~w~iddo"~s~P~o~csson R W GULLER=,E604395Dryartmeni of Human Anatomy. UniveZSitY OfOxford: fur (ive yL3m. Cira study ofiiuniiri indibmndvisu4 piiliwqsl~,X*~,,*~"~'LJLONGER-TERM SUPPORTRESEARCH A551STANtE AND EXPENSESUniversity of AberdeenUniversity aïCambridge9091