# MHC Genetic Typing Core-Maintenance of the SPF Breeding Colonies at Yerkes National Primate Research Center

> **NIH NIH U42** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $270,288

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Colony Genetics Core
Genetic characterization of animals in the Yerkes specific pathogen free (SPF) breeding colony is conducted by
the Colony Genetics Core. Our efforts are focused on preserving genetic diversity through breeding and
identifying animals suitable for AIDS research assignment. The Colony Genetics Core recently transitioned
most wet-bench workflows onto liquid-handling robots and switched to a sample labeling strategy that facilitates
realtime tracking and automation. We developed and maintain several purpose-built tools that comprise our
analytical framework for defining genetic parentage, calculating genetic value, and developing breeding
recommendations. We make these tools, and all genetics datasets and analyses, available to the YNPRC
community and others through a web-based resource that we developed, Colony Informatics.
Across three Specific Aims, we will continue to ensure that animals are expeditiously genotyped for AIDS-related
assignment and to prioritize animals for retention as breeders. We will also begin to incorporate comprehensive
genetic characterization of breeders through exome sequencing. Altogether, our efforts are highly collaborative
and integrative; we routinely work with the other SPF cores, veterinarians, and investigators to ensure that the
needs of the colony are readily met.
Specific Aim 1: Provide breeding recommendations based on parentage and genetic value genotyping.
Specific Aim 2: Perform allele-specific genotyping for AIDS research assignment.
Specific Aim 3: Perform primatized exome sequencing of new breeders to surveil for new alleles.
Taken together, these proposed aims will ensure the genetic diversity and sustainability of the Yerkes SPF
colony for years to come.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10766171
- **Project number:** 5U42OD011023-21
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam Ericsen
- **Activity code:** U42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $270,288
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2002-09-30 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10766171

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10766171, MHC Genetic Typing Core-Maintenance of the SPF Breeding Colonies at Yerkes National Primate Research Center (5U42OD011023-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10766171. Licensed CC0.

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