![Scientists in NEI research labs](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2024-06/scientists-at-nei.jpg?itok=QWzCg9zq)
NEI scientists are part of the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program (IRP). With 1,200 Principal Investigators and more than 4,000 Postdoctoral Fellows conducting basic, translational, and clinical research, the IRP is the largest biomedical research institution in the world. We are NEI Intramural.
![](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2020-12/NEI_Mockup_LabPages_2020-11-24ai_Clinical%20Research.png?itok=cjm1FJaL)
Clinical Research
NEI runs clinical studies related to ocular health at the NIH Clinical Center.
![](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2020-12/NEI_Mockup_LabPages_2020-11-24ai_Lab_of_immunology.png?itok=Fmoxquu6)
Laboratory of Immunology
Research groups within the Laboratory of Immunology study ocular immunity, the microbiome of the eye, and how the immune system can be harnessed to improve eye health.
![Photo of retinal cell](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2020-11/NEI_Mockup_LabPages_2020-11-24ai_Molecular_Biology.png?itok=-pWOxQJD)
Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology
Research within the Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology focuses on the basic biological mechanisms of vision, including molecular and cellular pathways within the eye.
![microscopic photo](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2019-06/lab_Sensorimotor.png?itok=bmHKuCtl)
Laboratory of Sensorimotor Research
The Laboratory of Sensorimotor Research studies the neuroscience of vision, exploring the interplay between the eye and brain necessary for sight, visually guided behavior, and visual decision making.
![Cone cells](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2019-09/lab_Neurobiology.png?itok=5PeK-u38)
Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory
Research in the Neurobiology Neurodegeneration and Repair Lab explores the role of common and rare genetic variants in the development of degenerative eye diseases.
![a microscopic view of an eyeball](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2020-12/Genetics_Option2.png?itok=CxM03ha2)
Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch
Research groups within the Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch undertake basic, translational and clinical studies to better understand ocular diseases and develop novel therapies.
- Bioinformatics Group
- Clinical and Translational Imaging Section
- Human Visual Function Core
- Medical Genetics and Ophthalmic Genomics Unit
- Pediatric, Developmental & Genetic Ophthalmology Section
- Protein Biochemistry & Molecular Modeling Group
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section
- Ophthalmic Clinical Genetics Section
- Ophthalmic Genomics Laboratory
- Ophthalmic Molecular Genetics Section
- Translational Research Core
![microscopic photo](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2019-06/lab_OtherLabs.png?itok=SQPn_bhA)
Independent Laboratories
Additional laboratories at NEI study the basic biology of the eye, including genetics, physiology, and immunology.
![microscopic photo](https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2019-06/lab_CoresAndOtherFacilities.png?itok=b_6tcLTE)
Cores and Other Facilities
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