# Neotropical Primate Reagent Resource

> **NIH NIH R24** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2024 · $587,934

## Abstract

Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have historically served as crucial animal models for diseases, and for testing of
new therapies and vaccines that cannot be evaluated in rodents. Neotropical primates are used in biomedical
research less frequently in the U.S. than Old World primates, but there is growing interest in these animals as
models due to the close recapitulation of certain clinical diseases and simpler husbandry considerations. Studies
involving marmosets, squirrel monkeys, and owl monkeys comprise the bulk of NIH-funded research featuring
neotropical primates in several areas, including neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases, and aging.
In this resource application, we propose to develop a number of marmoset, squirrel monkey, and owl monkey
antibodies to address the gap between project goals and available reagents. Species-matched antibodies can
deplete targeted lymphocyte subsets and allow investigators to probe the impact of specific immune populations
on progression, protection, and recovery. Diagnostic antibodies that distinguish antibody classes and
subclasses, cell surface biomarkers, and soluble mediators will reduce limitations imposed by poor reagent
accessibility. To derive these reagents, the squirrel monkey and marmoset immunoglobulin repertoire will be
exhaustively defined and characterized. Furthermore, a novel antibody specificity assay will be developed with
straightforward adaptability to any species of interest. These resource activities will be integrated with antibody
reagent activities supported by other funding sources.
The antibody resources described here can raise the bar on neotropical primate translational research by
providing investigators validated tools to evaluate the immune response in models of infectious or inflammatory
disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10849272
- **Project number:** 2R24OD028257-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathleen Engelman
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $587,934
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10849272

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10849272, Neotropical Primate Reagent Resource (2R24OD028257-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10849272. Licensed CC0.

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