# Coordinating center for collaborative marmoset research

> **NIH NIH U24** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $682,263

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has emerged as a critically important and tractable non-human
primate (NHP) model for neuroscience research accommodating genetic manipulation and directed breeding.
Several barriers to the adoption of marmoset models by the neuroscience community exist, including a small
census size in the United States (fewer than 2,500 animals), poor communication about resource availability, a
poor understanding of the strengths and limitations of marmosets in research, and a lack of a formal structure
for coordinating the sharing of information and resources related to marmoset research.
In this application, we propose to establish a Marmoset Coordinating Center (MCC) as part of the NIH Brain
Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative that will address these limitations
by building upon our experience in NHP informatics and marmoset research. As the foundation for the MCC, we
will build a new informatics framework for coordinating marmoset research based on the LabKey data
management system. This infrastructure will be derived from the existing LabKey system in place at multiple
National Primate Research Centers, and which has been optimized for NHP research, including marmosets,
over years of production. This informatics system will be initialized with basic statistics on the marmoset
laboratory populations provided by participating centers, making pre-recorded, individual-level information that
is already recorded more broadly available to the neuroscience community. Demographic and genetic
information will be shared and discussed among participating centers, to coordinate marmoset colony
management in line with American Zoological Association practice guidelines.
Once operational, the MCC will be comprised of two parts: 1) a web-based portal to provide access to the
marmoset data resources stored in LabKey, as well as background content on marmoset biology and
neuroscience; 2) a concierge comprised of MCC staff and augmented by a scientific advisory board of marmoset
neuroscience experts. The website will provide summaries of existing marmoset neuroscience projects, and
allow interested investigators to search animal inventory and request animals. The concierge will be available to
answer basic questions about the Center and the use of marmosets in neuroscience. Together, the data and
human resources of the MCC will provide an essential portal into marmoset neuroscience research through
collaboration, service agreement, or animal transfer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10044896
- **Project number:** 1U24MH123696-01
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** DONALD F. CONRAD
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $682,263
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10044896

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10044896, Coordinating center for collaborative marmoset research (1U24MH123696-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10044896. Licensed CC0.

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