# Specific Pathogen Free Baboon Research Resource (SPFBRR)

> **NIH NIH P40** · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · 2020 · $382,993

## Abstract

OVERALL – Project Summary/Abstract
The Specific Pathogen Free Baboon Research Resource (SPFBRR) is the only national research resource
of SPF baboons available to NIH grantees; intramural research programs of federal agencies, including the
FDA, NSF and NIH; and other sponsors of biomedical research (private foundations, pharmaceutical
companies, and contract research organizations). Absolutely unique in the entire world, the baboons in the
SPFBRR have an extensive bioexclusion list of 19 pathogens normally found in other wild and captive
nonhuman primate colonies. The SPFBRR was originally developed as an R24, and later as a P40, grant in a
collaboration between the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and Oklahoma State
University (OSU). However, a recent decision to end all nonhuman primate research at OUHSC has
necessitated efforts to relocate the SPFBRR. An exhaustive effort by the leadership of OUHSC has resulted in
the identification of a new home for this valuable and unique national research resource. The Michale E.
Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research (Keeling Center) of The University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center in Bastrop, Texas has the facilities, expertise, experience, and infrastructure to meet
the current and future needs of the SPFBRR. With this grant application, we propose to relocate the SPFBRR
to the Keeling Center, accelerate growth of the SPF colony through re-derivation of infant baboons from a
conventional (non-SPF) breeding colony, and maintain and expand partnerships with research programs using
these invaluable SPF baboon resources. During the period of support requested in this application, the
SPFBRR will be expanded to create a self-sustaining SPF breeding colony of behaviorally healthy and
genetically robust breeding animals. This will eliminate the need for infants from conventional (non-SPF)
dams, and it will significantly decrease the risk of introducing adventitious infectious agents into the SPFBRR.
The overall goals of this P40 application are to relocate the SPFBRR to the Keeling Center so that this
indispensable national research resource can be preserved; provide education and training to scientists,
veterinarians, colony managers, and animal caregivers who work with baboons; conduct applied research to
improve the resource; and, support investigators who need facilities and expertise for research projects
involving SPF baboons. We will also perform mRNA sequencing of the major histocompatability complex
(MHC) class I alleles for all of the foundation breeding baboons in the SPFBRR; and, we will perform whole
genome sequencing (WGS) on 26 animals in the resource for genomic and pedigree analysis. This information
will further refine and add value to the resources provided by the SPFBRR. Facilities originally designed for
chimpanzees will be repurposed to meet the needs of the SPFBRR and other research facilities at the Keeling
Center will provide space to conduct res...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10148447
- **Project number:** 3P40OD024628-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Joe H. Simmons
- **Activity code:** P40 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $382,993
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-08-15 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10148447

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10148447, Specific Pathogen Free Baboon Research Resource (SPFBRR) (3P40OD024628-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10148447. Licensed CC0.

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