|
|
|
| Home | About | Contact Us | Site Index |
National Primate Research Centers Program, Division of Comparative Medicine, National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)Government AgencyBethesda, Maryland, USA National Primate Research Centers Program, Division of Comparative Medicine, National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) (Established 1962) One Democracy Plaza, Room 950, 6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874 , Bethesda , Maryland 20892-4874 USA Director: John D. Harding Phone: 1 (301) 435-0744 Fax: 1 (301) 480-3819 E-mail: hardingj@mail.nih.gov Mission: National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) are a network of eight highly specialized facilities for nonhuman primates (NHP) research. Funded by grants through NCRR's Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM), each center, staffed with experienced research and support staff, provides the appropriate research environment to foster the development of NHP models of human health and disease for biomedical investigations. The NPRCs are affiliated with academic institutions and are accessible to eligible biomedical and behavioral investigators supported by research project grants from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. NHPs' close molecular, immunological, reproductive, and neurological relationship to humans makes them essential surrogates for humans in biomedical studies related to major human diseases (e.g, AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, leprosy, hemorrhagic shock, and cardiovascular diseases). NPRCs also provide nonhuman primate cells, tissues, organs, and biological fluids. The Comparative Medicine Resources Directory further describes the NPRCs, includes contact information, and identifies the research emphasis of each center. Principal Research Programs: The main research focus of the Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, is reproductive biology, neurobiology and behavior metabolic research, immunology, biochemistry and nutrition; The National Primate Research Center at the University of Washington, Seattle, emphasizes developmental biology, neurobehavioral and cardiovascular function, immunogenetic disease models, virology, human diseases and needs of laboratory primates; At the New England National Primate Research Center, Southborough, Massachusetts, investigation of diseases of primates relevant to the health of humans includes studies of infectious diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome, comparative pathology immunology, drug addiction and cardiovascular physiology; The principal research missions of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Georgia, are neural behavioral biology, neurobiology, pathobiology and immunology, and reproductive biology; The principal research focuses of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, are clinical biomedicine, ethology, ecology, conservation, neurobiology and reproduction; Research at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana, concentrates on microbiology of infectious diseases, particular virology emphasizing AIDS, parasitology, urology, and the biochemistry of genetic disorders; The California National Primate Research Center at Davis is engaged in studying the effects of behavioral biology, comparative primate biology, developmental biology and reproductive biology, virology and immunology, and environmental factors on nonhuman primates; In 1999, the eighth National Primate Research Center was established at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, Texas. It has the largest captive baboon colony in the world and specializes in genetics, coronary heart disease and other infectious diseases. Each center has a core staff of professional and supporting personnel. The core staff of the eight centers represent many scientific disciplines, including virology, immunology, neurochemistry, molecular biology, psychology, veterinary medicine, anatomy, physiology, reproductive biology and behavior, and many others. Members of the scientific staff, in most cases, hold joint appointments in appropriate academic departments of the academic institution or medical school with which the center is affiliated. Key Personnel: John D. Harding, Ph.D., Director, Primate Resources, Phone: 301-435-0744 E-mail: hardingj@mail.nih.gov John D. Strandberg, DVM, Ph.D., Director, Division of Comparative Medicine, NCRR, Phone: 435-0744 Species Supported: The nonhuman primate colonies range from about 1,100 animals to more than 3,800 animals. Different species are found at different centers, depending upon the research focus, but the macaque species, especially the rhesus macaque, predominate. The Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, for example, has a colony of more than 3,000 baboons -- a collection unmatched anywhere in the world. Another center has about 2,600 primates of 16 different species, the majority of them Old World monkeys. Comments: To access an NPRC, an investigator must submit an initial research proposal to the NPRC prior to submitting an application for project funding. When research availability and project feasibility have been established, the NPRC staff will provide budget information to the researcher regarding the center costs to be included in the formal research project application. The scientific merit of the applicant must then be evaluated through the NIH peer review process or through a similar process at other agencies. In addition to the scientific peer review, a protocol approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) at both the investigator's institution and the NPRC must be in place. The NPRC director should be advised immediately when the investigator has received notification of funding so that the resources at the NPRC may be reserved. Entry created: 1998-03-30 [Update Entry] [Delete Entry] |