REGION VI RCE - NONHUMAN PRIMATE CORE

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. In response to NIAID's call for the creation of strong infrastructure and multifaceted research and development activities applying the best basic, translational, and clinical science to the generation of new diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine countermeasures for Category A, B, and C pathogens posing threats as agents of bioterrorism, 22 institutions in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana have combined their energy, creativity, and resources to create the Western (Region Vl) Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (WRCE). Nine scientific cores will provide access to state-of-the-art proteomics, genomics, standardized small animal and non-human primate models of infectious diseases, BSL-4 laboratory facilities, and GLP scale-up production, as well as crosscutting functions in computational biology and a streamlined process for translational development of vaccines and drugs leading to FDA approval. A consistently strong spirit of cooperation among traditionally competing institutions has established an interlocking network of projects, cores, and administration that will strengthen and flourish as the Center is implemented. The guidance of this network of interactive research projects and core resource facilities will be executed under a comprehensive administrative plan to contribute substantially to the nation's biodefense mission by fulfilling a carefully crafted scientific strategy on a common theme; Collaborations for host-pathogen biology based development of novel vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics against biothreat agents. There is a clear consensus that nonhuman primates will be a necessary part of the development of therapeutics and vaccines for the NIAID Class A and Class B agents. For many of these agents, human trials will be very limited or impossible. In addition, appropriate animal BL3 facilities and personnel trained in the handling of primates under BL3 and perhaps BL4 conditions will be necessary in order to ensure efficient and timely transfer of advances in therapeutics and vaccines to the human population. The NHP Core of the RCE will: 1. provide oversight and assistance in the acquisition of animals by investigators using nonhuman primates in this proposal and assure compliance with federal animal welfare and biosafety regulations; 2. provide for the routine veterinary care and husbandry for nonhuman primates assigned to projects contained within this program; 3. provide expertise and assistance in the design and implementation of experiments using nonhuman primates; 4. provide for clinical and pathology laboratory support for studies using nonhuman primates; 5. develop new and innovative nonhuman primate resources for use in testing therapeutics and vaccines.