The major goal of this application is to sustain the Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) program at the Caribbean Primate Research Center's (CPRC) through support of operations, administration, veterinary care, virological and MHC typing and by the improvement of our comprehensive genetic management plan. A unique feature of CPRC animals in favoring a successful establishment and sustainable of SPF colony are that these animals are naturally free of SIV and SRV-D, two of the four viruses to be tested for. Nevertheless, for safety and as required for the SPF Program, we continue systematically testing for all four viruses (B virus, STLV, SIV and SRV-D). The Program provides unadmixed Indian-origin rhesus monkeys with defined genetic and virological background. The population genetic analyses revealed that the SPF colony has remained genetically homogenous over time with sufficient amounts of heterozygosity and minimal stratification from its non-SPF founders. Genetic variation will be maintained in the SPF colony using the genetic management strategies described in this application. The genetic management approach will allow for enrichment of desired MHC markers in demand for biomedical research while maintaining genetic diversity. Our approach for genetic management will be concordant with the NIH's National NHP Genetics and Genomics Consortium guidelines for ensuring the long- term viability of the CPRC's SPF colony. The estimates of Indian ancestry among the SSFS SPF colony animals is also among the highest that have been calculated across several National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) in the US. Funds are requested in this application to sustain the SPF program and to meet the proposed aims. With continued NIH support, the Institutional contribution and with funds from the program income, the SPF program at CPRC will remain a significant national research resource and will be able to provide healthy SPF indian-origin rhesus monkeys of defined genetic and virological background to NIH-sponsored research programs.
For two decades, the Caribbean Primate Research Center (CPRC) had established a solid SPF colony that supports numerous PHS-sponsored researches. The Center provides unadmixed Indian-origin rhesus monkeys with defined genetic and virological background that serve as models for the development of effective treatments and vaccine mainly against HIV/AIDS. The CPRC will continue to be one of the largest nation-wide provider of SPF required for HIV/AIDS and for other biomedical research projects, as well as a valuable research resource needed for biomedical studies.
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