# The creation of whole genome CRISPR/Cas9 resources for non-human primate research

> **NIH NIH R24** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2020 · $331,459

## Abstract

ABSTRACT:
 Nonhuman primates are vital research models for understanding human health and
disease. Rhesus macaques and marmosets have similar physiology and anatomy to humans,
which make them important model systems for NIH-sponsored biomedical research. Specific
examples of fields that rely heavily on these nonhuman primates include drug development,
cardiovascular studies, infectious disease, cancer immunotherapy and vaccinology. Cell lines
for in vitro experiments, as well as ex vivo studies using primary cells, are widely used, and
permit nonhuman primate focused researchers to pursue mechanistic studies. In the genomic
era the experimental value of such model systems can be greatly expanded if functional
genomic tools for altering gene expression are available. Modulation of gene expression permits
the use of genetic approaches to answer mechanistic questions underlying biological events.
However, for nonhuman primates, as well for all model systems outside of mouse and in vitro
human cells, such genetic tools have not existed and this has limited the types of discoveries
these fields can produce. The revolutionary CRISPR/Cas9 technology for modulating gene
expression is extremely powerful as it i) can create either homozygous null or hypermorphic
phenotypes, ii) is highly specific with a very low level of off target events and iii) can be
employed in any mammalian primary cells or cell lines. For this proposal we will meet this need
and accelerate nonhuman primate researchers’ discoveries by creating highly active cutting-
edge CRISPR-based functional genomic resource for macaques and marmosets. We chose
these two model systems because of their importance for both basic and translational research,
as well as the fact that they represent the most widely used nonhuman primate models, with
their use promising to increase in importance across multiple fields including neurology,
oncology, gerontology and immunology.
RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH: Nonhuman primates are vital research models for
understanding human health and disease. Genetic experiments are a time honored means of
making transformative discoveries. However, for nonhuman primates the basic tools for
undertaking such genetic studies have not existed and this has limited the types of discoveries
regarding human health and disease that these fields can produce. For this proposal we will
meet this need and accelerate nonhuman primate researchers’ discoveries by creating genetic
tools for the macaque and marmoset research community.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9936383
- **Project number:** 5R24OD023047-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** JEREMY LUBAN
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $331,459
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9936383

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9936383, The creation of whole genome CRISPR/Cas9 resources for non-human primate research (5R24OD023047-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9936383. Licensed CC0.

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