Establishing A Collaboration
In addition to having strong internal research programs, the TNPRC serves as a regional and national resource and center of excellence for biomedical research using nonhuman primates. The following material is focused on assisting investigators interested in conducting biomedical research using nonhuman primates at the TNPRC.
The Division of Collaborative Research
The Division of Collaborative Research was formed to meet the needs of the research community interested in performing research using nonhuman primates at the Tulane National Primate Research Center. The Division is staffed by personnel with expertise in veterinary medicine, research study design, budgeting, database management, IACUC issues, sample acquisition and preparation, and shipping.
Requesting assistance:
Contact the Division of Collaborative Research administration office directly. Once your contact information and the nature of your request are determined, Division of Collaborative Research personnel will direct the next appropriate steps to be taken.
Research resources of other divisions:
The Division of Collaborative Research makes every effort to comply with collaborator requests. For example, animal blood and tissue samples are often available through the services of the Division of Comparative Pathology. Division of Collaborative Research personnel can and will facilitate appropriate contact with other Center divisions in order to assist with a collaborative request.
Although the TNPRC houses nine species of nonhuman primates, the primary species available for collaborative projects are macaques.
- Macaca mulatta (rhesus of both Indian and Chinese origin)
- Macaca nemestrina (pigtail monkeys)
- Macaca fascicularis (cynos/cynomolgus monkeys)
Costs:
Animal cost depends on specific requirements. Points to be considered are:
- species availability
- sex and age of the animal
- research needs
Typical costs:
Sample collection – materials used Shipments of samples – materials used and technician time Administrative costs – for lengthy or involved projects Animal costs Veterinary and technical assistance Pathology services Immunology services
Request Resolution:
A simple request for blood samples could be completed in a week’s time. A request requiring an approved IACUC protocol, budget and study design assistance and significant animal numbers may take several months to initialize the study and up to several years to complete.
