# MAINTENANCE OF A CLOSED CPRC SPF COLONY

> **NIH NIH U42** · UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES · 2022 · $3,668,044

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT:
The major goal of this application is to sustain the Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) program at the Caribbean
Primate Research Center's (CPRC) through support of operations, administration, veterinary care, virological
and MHC typing and by the improvement of our comprehensive genetic management plan. A unique feature of
CPRC animals in favoring a successful establishment and sustainable of SPF colony are that these animals are
naturally free of SIV and SRV-D, two of the four viruses to be tested for. Nevertheless, for safety and as required
for the SPF Program, we continue systematically testing for all four viruses (B virus, STLV, SIV and SRV-D). The
Program provides unadmixed Indian-origin rhesus monkeys with defined genetic and virological background.
The population genetic analyses revealed that the SPF colony has remained genetically homogenous over time
with sufficient amounts of heterozygosity and minimal stratification from its non-SPF founders. Genetic
variation will be maintained in the SPF colony using the genetic management strategies described in this
application. The genetic management approach will allow for enrichment of desired MHC markers in demand
for biomedical research while maintaining genetic diversity. Our approach for genetic management will be
concordant with the NIH's National NHP Genetics and Genomics Consortium guidelines for ensuring the long-
term viability of the CPRC's SPF colony. The estimates of Indian ancestry among the SSFS SPF colony animals
is also among the highest that have been calculated across several National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs)
in the US. Funds are requested in this application to sustain the SPF program and to meet the proposed aims.
With continued NIH support, the Institutional contribution and with funds from the program income, the SPF
program at CPRC will remain a significant national research resource and will be able to provide healthy SPF
indian-origin rhesus monkeys of defined genetic and virological background to NIH-sponsored research
programs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10447029
- **Project number:** 5U42OD021458-21
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Melween I. Martinez
- **Activity code:** U42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $3,668,044
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10447029

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10447029, MAINTENANCE OF A CLOSED CPRC SPF COLONY (5U42OD021458-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10447029. Licensed CC0.

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