The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has emerged as a critically important and tractable non-human primate (NHP) model for neuroscience research accommodating genetic manipulation and directed breeding. Several barriers to the adoption of marmoset models by the neuroscience community exist, including a small census size in the United States (fewer than 2,500 animals), poor communication about resource availability, a poor understanding of the strengths and limitations of marmosets in research, and a lack of a formal structure for coordinating the sharing of information and resources related to marmoset research. In this application, we propose to establish a Marmoset Coordinating Center (MCC) as part of the NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative that will address these limitations by building upon our experience in NHP informatics and marmoset research. As the foundation for the MCC, we will build a new informatics framework for coordinating marmoset research based on the LabKey data management system. This infrastructure will be derived from the existing LabKey system in place at multiple National Primate Research Centers, and which has been optimized for NHP research, including marmosets, over years of production. This informatics system will be initialized with basic statistics on the marmoset laboratory populations provided by participating centers, making pre-recorded, individual-level information that is already recorded more broadly available to the neuroscience community. Demographic and genetic information will be shared and discussed among participating centers, to coordinate marmoset colony management in line with American Zoological Association practice guidelines. Once operational, the MCC will be comprised of two parts: 1) a web-based portal to provide access to the marmoset data resources stored in LabKey, as well as background content on marmoset biology and neuroscience; 2) a concierge comprised of MCC staff and augmented by a scientific advisory board of marmoset neuroscience experts. The website will provide summaries of existing marmoset neuroscience projects, and allow interested investigators to search animal inventory and request animals. The concierge will be available to answer basic questions about the Center and the use of marmosets in neuroscience. Together, the data and human resources of the MCC will provide an essential portal into marmoset neuroscience research through collaboration, service agreement, or animal transfer.
The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchhus) has emerged as a critically important biomedical animal model in in a variety of study disciplines. Increased demand for marmosets in scientific research studies has been most acute in neuroscience, where the need to study cognition, behavior, and mental illness in primate models with new genomic editing and gene targeting methodologies has surged. As access to marmosets is limited, and a national strategy is needed for coordinating marmoset research populations, the proposed project will establish a marmoset coordination center that joins real-time census data on marmosets and expert marmoset neuroscientists, which together will provide information and access to animals for scientists in the broader neuroscience community.
