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Division of Comparative Medicine (NCRR/NIH), National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research ResourcesGovernment AgencyBethesda, Maryland, USA Division of Comparative Medicine (NCRR/NIH), National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources (Established 1962) 6701 Democracy Boulevard, Room 948 - MSC 4874 , Bethesda , Maryland 20892-4874 USA Director: John D. Strandberg, DVM, Ph.D. Phone: 1 (301) 435-0744 Fax: 1 (301) 480-3819 E-mail: CMAdir@mail.nih.gov Affiliations: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources Mission: The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) of the NIH National Center for Research Resources helps to meet the needs of biomedical researchers for high quality, disease-free animals and specialized animal research facilities. The DCM supports--via grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts--regional primate research centers and their field stations; primate breeding; resource projects; development of animal models; postdoctoral and career development and training; and a variety of research projects. The DCM comprises five major programs. The Regional Primate Research Centers Program supports a national network of eight regional primate research centers. These centers provide specialized facilities for nonhuman primate research, experienced personnel, and appropriate research environments to support the development of nonhuman primate models and research resources for studies of critical importance to understanding human health problems and disease processes. Collectively, the eight centers assist more than 1,200 scientists annually who use nonhuman primates as the most appropriate animal models for studies on AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, leprosy, hemorrhagic shock and cardiovascular diseases, as well as a broad array of other human health and disease problems. The AIDS Animal Models Program supports research and resources that identify, develop, and make available animal models for AIDS-related research. This program promotes the characterization and validation of existing models and coordinates these efforts with other NIH institutes. Specific-pathogen-free (SPF) macaques are made available for investigations of all types. The Chimpanzee Management Program is the first and only national program to converge the expertise and experience of chimpanzee specialists and researchers for an allied effort. This multi-institutional program provides the Public Health Service-supported biomedical research community with chimpanzees for research on important human health problems including viral hepatitis and AIDS. The recently enacted Chimpanzee Sanctuary legislation is being implemented through a contract mechanism. When operational the Sanctuary will provide long-term care for chimpanzees which have been used in biomedical research. The Laboratory Animal Sciences Program supports research and resource grants to improve the health and care of laboratory animals, determine environmental requirements of such animals, and establish special animal colonies for research. This program also awards grants to develop, characterize, and improve animal models of human disease; to diagnose, study, and control diseases of laboratory animals; and to develop and improve institutional animal research programs. Special training in laboratory animal science, comparative pathology, and medicine is supported at the predoctoral, postdoctoral and mid-career levels through several mechanisms. The Biological Models and Material Program supports the development and maintenance on non-mammalian models--lower vertebrates and invertebrates--with which to study human diseases and better understand biological processes. Genetic and Genomic Resources provide trait analysis of novel mouse inbred strains; genetic marker analysis of nonhuman primates; and referral for animal models of human genetic disease. Non-animal models, such as mathematical and computer models, are also supported by NCRR, as are bacterial cultures, viruses, cell systems, cell lines, and other critical materials. Principal Research Programs: Biomedical and behavioral research and resource development. Training Opportunities: The Division supports postdoctoral training programs for veterinarians in the fields of laboratory animal medicine and comparative pathology. In addition there are institutional short-term awards for veterinary students to provide support for summer research experience. There is also an award program to allow veterinary students to take a year out of their veterinary curriculum to get established in a research track; this may be coupled with a dual degree program available at several institutions. Further support is also provided to individuals who have completed their training through two mechanisms. The Special Emphasis Research Career Award is available to veterinarians who have completed their research training and who are in the early stages of their career. A Mid-career Award program is available to individuals who are focused on mouse pathobiology to allow them to free up time for research and mentoring. Financial Aid: Support for salary is provided for all the programs outlined above. This varies from program to program and information can be easily obtained from the NCRR website (www.ncrr.nih.gov) or through contacting program staff (301-435-0744). Number of Staff: 10 Key Personnel: Dr. Judith L. Vaitukaitis, Director, NCRR, Phone: 301/496-5793 Dr. John D. Strandberg, Director, Division of Comparative Medicine, Phone: 301/435-0744 Ms. Irene Grissom, Director, Office of Grants and Contracts Management, Phone: 301/435-0844 Dr. Jerry A. Robinson, Director, National Primate Research Centers Program, and AIDS Animal Models Program, Phone: 301/435-0744 Dr. Michael Chang, Director, Biological Models and Materials Program, Phone: 301/435-0744 Dr. Franziska Grieder, Director, Laboratory Animal Sciences, Phone: 301/435-0744 Dr. Raymond O'Neill, Director, Chimpanzee Management Program, Phone: 301/435-0749 Dr. John Harding, Director, Genetic Resources; Phone: 301/435-0744 Dr. William Watson, Director, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Program, Phone: 301/435-0744 Species Supported: Grant-supported research resources relate to various Old World and New World primate species, other mammals and non-mammalian species, such as rodents, carnivores, ruminants, and aquatic species, such as zebrafish, Drosphila, C. elegans, sea urchins, and sea slugs. Web Site: http://www.ncrr.nih.gov Publications: "NCRR Reporter" Entry created: 1998-03-30 [Update Entry] [Delete Entry] |