Contribute to the breeding expansion and to the genetic diversity at California NPRC

NIH RePORTER · NIH · P40 · $230,394 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Project Summary Nonhuman primates (NHP) models for human disease are essential for biomedical research. The underlying physiology and metabolism, as well as anatomical and genomic structures of nonhuman primates are more similar to humans than are other mammalian animal models. Macaques are the most commonly used nonhuman primates in biomedical research. The similarities between human and rhesus macaques make these animals outstanding models for the study of infectious disease pathogenesis such as in malaria, dengue and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), of vaccine development for a variety of infectious agents, and of human pathologies. In addition, nonhuman primates are needed as models for biodefense research initiatives particularly for vaccine development against agents with potential use in bio-warfare. In 2020, the ongoing unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic added an additional stress to the already tenuous NHP supply by increasing the demand around the world. Because of that, the NPRCs, with the support of NIH/ORIP, launched an initiative to establish the NHP Strategic Reserve (NSR). At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caribbean Primate Research Center (CPRC) was in the position to supply animals, immediately, in support of COVID-19 research which has resulted in a topmost contribution to science. Scientific results generated with CPRC's contribution are available in top journals like Science, Nature, and Journal of Experimental Medicine among others. In addition, underscoring the value of this NIH/ORIP-funded resource, and as one early step in the development of the NSR, CPRC has been willing and proactively engaged in agreements with some NPRCs in order to supply high quality animals to expand their breeding population and to increase their genetic diversity. This Administrative Supplement seek to supply high quality Indian-origin rhesus macaques, born and breed at the CPRC, to expand the breeding capabilities and the genetic pool at California National Primate Research Center.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10440774
Project number
3P40OD012217-34S1
Recipient
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES
Principal Investigator
Melween I. Martinez
Activity code
P40
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2021
Award amount
$230,394
Award type
3
Project period
1987-04-15 → 2023-11-30