Vision Research Center

Dr. Sebastian Werneburg in front of a large microscope with an colorful research image on a monitor behind him

Keeping Innovation in Sight

Advancing vision science through shared technology, training and collaboration.

Empowering the Science of Vision

Collaboration and access to specialized technologies are essential to the research activities at the University of Michigan. The Vision Research Center (VRC) addresses both of these needs. By providing shared state-of-the-art instrumentation, services and training, the Center provides vision researchers with the necessary resources to pursue cutting-edge research. The Vision Research Center also acts as a central conduit for the exchange of information within the community of scientists at the University of Michigan and serves to promote collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches to vision research. Each core is supervised by research faculty and staffed by technical experts.

Note for Researchers: Please cite the Vision Research Center EY007003 on all publications.

Our Cores

Bioinformatics Core

Bioinformatics consulting, training and pipelines to advance eye research.

Data Integrity Core

Expert critique and FAIR-based guidance for high-quality research data.

Functional Assessment Core

Advanced functional and imaging assessments.

Instrument & Electronic Services Core

Designing and maintaining custom instruments and electronics for vision research.

Molecular Biology Core

Supporting research with molecular biology services and shared advanced equipment.

Morphology and Imaging Core

Processing and imaging services for ocular and brain research.

Featured News & Stories

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Thanh Hoang
Medical School News

Thanh Hoang named Pew Biomedical Scholar

The Pew Charitable Trusts selected Thanh Hoang, PhD, as a 2026 Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences. Hoang joined a class of 21 scholars nationwide.
eye drawing yellow dots
Department News

UM researchers awarded grants from BrightFocus Foundation for vision research

BrightFocus Foundation awarded $15.2M in research grants for Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, including support for Michigan Medicine researchers Jason Miller, MD, PhD, and Mark Draelos, MD, PhD, advancing new approaches to vision loss and disease detection.
Susan Lane, wearing glasses and a dress with blue, red, black, and purple brushstroke designs, stands next to Alan Sugar, who is wearing glasses and a grey blazer with a blue tie. They are standing in a shaded courtyard area with shrubs and a brick wall behind them.
Philanthropy News

Susan J. Lane: Gratitude and Giving

Susan Lane has made a transformational gift to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Michigan Medicine to support corneal research and patient education.
Health Lab Podcast in brackets with a background with a dark blue translucent layers over cells
Health Lab Podcast

How rescuing dying cells may help preserve vision loss

Removal of damaged mitochondria can rescue dying photoreceptor cells.
eye drawing yellow dots
Health Lab

Cell death in photoreceptor cells is reversible, study finds

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan found functional mitochondria are key to the recovery of dying photoreceptor cells.
Dr. Jillian Pearring in her lab
Department News

FFB features Jillian Pearring’s work on photoreceptors and retinitis pigmentosa

Jillian Pearring, PhD, shares her journey in vision research, highlighting advances in photoreceptor science and hope for blinding diseases.