Unique Capabilties

The TNPRC maintains a large, on-site colony of approximately 5,000 nonhuman primates, including Indian and Chinese-origin rhesus macaques (SPF, eSPF and aging cohorts). The colony supports a wide range of infectious disease, aging, and immunological studies.

Available models include:

• HIV/SIV, CMV, Zika, tuberculosis, malaria, SARS-CoV-2, Lyme disease, varicella, papillomavirus, RSV,and more
• Vaccine testing, coinfection, and comorbidity models
• Prenatal, transplacental, and postnatal transmission studies
• Aerosol exposure studies through the Infectious Disease Aerobiology Core

The Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) is the only National Primate Research Center in the United States with an on-site Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL)—a high-capacity, 40,000-square-foot BSL-3 and Select Agent-registered facility designed to support advanced infectious disease research.

At the core of the RBL is the High Containment Research Core (HCRC), which offers comprehensive or modular support for investigators conducting BSL-3 and Select Agent (SA) studies. Services include microbial culture and propagation, sample preparation and processing, and full integration with biosafety, quality assurance, and regulatory programs.

Researchers benefit from end-to-end support within a highly controlled environment, including:

• SA-cleared veterinary staff trained for in vivo support within BSL-3/Select Agent environments
• Infectious Disease Aerobiology Core supporting aerosolized exposure studies in NHP and rodent models, including pathogen and toxin delivery, plethysmography, and exposure characterization
• Advanced in-containment imaging, including PET/CT and radiography
• Wireless biotelemetry for real-time physiological monitoring 
• On-site surgical suite for major procedures under BSL-3 conditions
• BSL-3-based clinical pathology and cell sorting labs
• Sample processing, bacterial/viral propagation, and titration services
• Automated Agilent Real-Time Cell Analysis (eSight) for kinetic measurements in 96-well plate format
• Secure digital data capture via LabKey and LabArchives, fully compliant with federal data management and sharing standards   
   

Advanced molecular tools are also available within containment:

• Olink® Target 96
  A multiplexed immunoassay platform that measures up to 92 proteins across 96 samples per run using Proximity Extension Assay (PEA) technology.
• Olink® Discovery platform (Explore)
  A high-throughput, NGS-based proteomics platform that profiles over 5,000 proteins across 352 samples in a single run.
• Olink® Reveal
  A mid-scale, NGS-based proteomics kit that quantifies over 1,000 proteins from just 4 µL of sample using standard sequencing workflows.
• 10x Genomics
  A single-cell and spatial genomics system enabling high-resolution profiling of gene expression, immune repertoires, and chromatin accessibility.
• Oxford Nanopore MinION
  A portable, real-time long-read sequencing device for whole-genome, transcriptome, or epigenetic analysis.
• NanoString GeoMX
  A spatial profiling platform that maps high-plex RNA and protein expression to tissue morphology from FFPE or fresh frozen sections.
• NanoString CosMX
  A spatial molecular imaging system that delivers single-cell, subcellular RNA and protein localization from intact tissue.
• The Miltenyi MACSQuant Tyto is a gentle, cartridge-based, multiparametric cell sorter that enables sterile, high-purity isolation of cell populations without the need for aerosols or droplet formation.

The TNPRC offers comprehensive immunological research support with expertise in innate and adaptive immune responses. Our services are designed to support studies involving infection, vaccination, aging, and immunopathology in both standard and high-containment settings.

Capabilities include:

• Characterization of B cells, T cells, NK cells, and monocyte subsets
• Longitudinal tracking of immune kinetics and precursors
• Multiparametric, high-throughput cell sorting using flow cytometry enables precise isolation of specific cell populations based on multiple surface markers.
• Multiplex cytokine and biomarker analysis using Luminex and Mesoscale platforms

Extensive flow cytometry services are available through our dedicated Flow Cytometry Core, which offers both analytical and sorting capabilities under BSL-2 and BSL-3 conditions.

Gene expression analysis can be performed at both regional and single-cell levels using Nanostring GeoMX and CosMX. These tools support spatial transcriptomics in fixed or unfixed tissue.

Digital pathology services include:

• Zeiss Axio Imager and Observer 7 for high-resolution imaging
• HALO software with machine learning–enabled analysis
• Remote access to digitized slides for collaborative interpretation and review

Researchers have access to a suite of tools for molecular analysis and functional cell assays. These resources support both exploratory and hypothesis-driven studies across disease models.

Core instruments and services:

• QuantStudio6 Real-Time PCR and Nanodrop One C for nucleic acid quantification
• Seahorse XFe24 for cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function
• Agilent eSight for real-time live-cell kinetic analysis
• High-throughput sequencing using 10X Genomics, Oxford Nanopore, and (soon) NovaSeq X

The TNPRC provides high-throughput proteomic analysis and biomarker discovery using the latest multiplex platforms. Studies can be conducted in both BSL-2 and BSL-3 environments.

Highlights include:

• Olink® Target 96, Reveal and Discovery platforms (analyze 5,000+ proteins)
• Minimal sample volume requirements, high reproducibility
• In-house support for assay selection, analysis, and data interpretation
• Luminex and Mesoscale platforms available for additional profiling

To support comprehensive in vivo research, the TNPRC offers a wide array of imaging, monitoring, and surgical resources—many of which are BSL-3 compatible.

Imaging capabilities include:

• PET/CT full body imaging, X-ray, fluoroscopy, and ultrasound
• Spectralis Flex for retinal imaging
• Laser scanning confocal microscopy for corneal analysis
• DEXA Scan

Functional and surgical resources:

• General and specialized surgery within BSL-2 and BLS-3 
• Wireless biotelemetry with surgical implant capability
• Cognitive touchscreen testing (CANTAB, puzzle-based enrichment)
• Eye tracking, bone density assessment (DEXA), leukophoresis

The TNPRC provides robust infrastructure for scientific rigor, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance. Every study benefits from proactive project management and embedded quality assurance.

• Support services include:
• Study design, budgeting, and IACUC protocol guidance
• Contracted study coordination and logistics
• QA/QC programs for BSL-2 and BSL-3 studies
• Secure digital data management (LabKey, LabArchives)
• Full compliance with federal data sharing and data security standards
   

The TNPRC is committed to advancing non-animal models (NAMs) as alternatives or complements to in vivo systems. This includes:

• Isolation of primary cells from nonhuman primates
• 3D bioprinting for tissue modeling
• Real-time cellular assays using Agilent eSight
• Institutional support for pilot studies and NAM-focused research