# Improved biosecurity for the SPF M. nemestrina breeding colony

> **NIH NIH U42** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2021 · $491,862

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) is the largest domestic breeding colony for
Macaca nemestrina, the pigtailed macaque. We are requesting supplementary funding for U42 OD011123,
Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Macaca nemestrina (pigtailed macaque) Breeding Colony, to install an
automatic cage/rack washer at our Arizona Breeding Colony (ABC). The purpose of the parent award is to
provide healthy, SPF M. nemestrina for HIV/AIDS-related research, and other biomedical research pending
availability. This breeding is performed at the satellite ABC facility in fixed group enclosures. However, it is
necessary to maintain some individual portable caging to house ill or injured animals for clinical treatment.
This caging is currently washed by hand and disinfected chemically, which is not ideal.
Breeding at ABC rather than in Seattle has several advantages; however in Arizona there is a risk of Valley
Fever caused by Coccidioides fungal spores which are endemic in that area. We are currently in the process
of building an extension on one of the housing buildings at ABC to allow for clean cage storage and prevent
exposure to the spores. We are requesting funds to install an automatic cage/rack washer in this building to
clean and sanitize portable caging and enrichment items. We will also need to install the utilities needed to run
the cage washer, including a 190ºF water heater, electrical service, and HEPA-filtered HVAC. We will install
solar panels to support the operational costs of the cage/rack washer, which will sustain support for this
equipment in future years.
By preventing exposure of animals to potential pathogens, the automatic cage/rack washer will support the
physical well-being of animals in the breeding colony. In conjunction with the installation of the solar panels we
will take the opportunity to insert skylights in the animal housing section of the building. This natural light will
promote the psychological well-being of the animals in the breeding colony. These modifications, while not part
of the parent award, will promote the health and well-being of the animals contributing to the overall success of
the breeding colony in support of future research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10404863
- **Project number:** 3U42OD011123-17S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** CHARLOTTE HOTCHKISS
- **Activity code:** U42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $491,862
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2002-09-30 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10404863

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10404863, Improved biosecurity for the SPF M. nemestrina breeding colony (3U42OD011123-17S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10404863. Licensed CC0.

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