The National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) are a national network of researchers searching for the causes, preventions, treatments and cures that will improve human health and lives worldwide. The NPRCs also serve as a resource to researchers worldwide.
NPRC research continues to reveal the causes of health issues and results in the development of preventions, treatments and cures that are helping people across generations and the world live longer, healthier lives. Examples include HIV prevention, a cure for hepatitis C, deep brain stimulation to treat Parkinson’s disease and approval of the immunosuppressive medication Belatacept for use with kidney transplants patients, as well as current advancements in brain-machine interfaces. Learn more about the top 10 research accomplishments of the NPRC centers here.
The NPRCs follow regulations and guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) via the Animal Welfare Act, and institutional animal care and use committees. Also, all NPRCs maintain AAALAC Int. accreditation, which is the gold standard in animal care. AAALAC is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in scientific research.
Yes, researchers at the NPRCs are conducting research to better diagnose and treat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as to prevent the disease. NPRC animal colonies will be key in moving COVID-19 research from cell models to studies in whole living systems so researchers can determine treatment and prevention safety and effectiveness. Read more about NPRC COVID-19 research here.
Rhesus macaques are the primary species used in NPRC research programs because of the biological links between their systems and those of humans. Research programs also include baboons, cynomolgus and pigtail macaques, marmosets and squirrel monkeys. Animal species are carefully matched to research studies to ensure valid scientific results that will be applicable to human health.
Most animals at the NPRCs are socially housed in groups of 2 to 200, and NPRC behavioral management employees provide species-typical behaviors, including opportunities to forage, groom and play. These efforts as well as the daily health-care attention the animals receive mean their life expectancy is far greater than that of an animal living in the wild that faces predators, untreated disease and food shortages.
The seven NPRCs have 18,000-20,000 animals, including baboons, three species of macaques and marmosets. The centers also have rodents, including mice, rats and voles.
Each center maintains a breeding colony of animals that veterinary, colony management and genetic personnel oversee. Sometimes, in order to meet specifications of research protocols, the NPRCs may purchase animals from independent breeders who are also subject to strict USDA oversight.
Research with monkeys is undertaken when questions cannot be answered other ways. Because nonhuman primates are genetically similar to humans, this makes them ideal models for human health research.
Researchers use computer models, and cell cultures, when appropriate, and doing so does reduce the number of animals used in research. There is, however, no way to completely replace research with animals because it is not yet possible to fully duplicate a functioning, living system.
The NPRCs do use mice and other rodents in center research, but their living systems can only tell so much. Researchers may use mice to address their first questions and then move to monkeys to further address the most promising outcomes from the rodent-based research studies. This continuum helps reduce the number of animals necessary for valid answers. It also accounts for the genetic closeness of nonhuman primates to humans to provide researchers with a comprehensive and comparable research model.
Without access to nonhuman primates in research, medical progress would be drastically slowed and, in some cases, stopped. A delay in finding causes, preventions, treatments and cures could mean shorter and unhealthy lives, which is contrary to the NPRC vision of people across generations and the world living longer, healthier lives.
Board-certified veterinarians as well as animal care and veterinary technicians, many of whom are certified in animal care and veterinary practices, behavioral and colony management specialists, and others provide care for the NPRC animals.
The animals eat a nutritionally balanced diet of monkey chow as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
The seven NPRC are located around the country: California, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Learn more about the NPRCs using our interactive map here.
All seven NPRCs engage in community and educational outreach, which may include facility tours. Please contact the individual centers for more information.
The NPRCs employ more than 2,500 people. This includes: researchers; animal care, behavioral management, colony management and veterinary personnel; as well as community outreach, facilities management, finance and human resources employees.
The primary source of NPRC research and infrastructure funding is via grants from the NIH. The NPRCs also receive funding through competitive research grants from other federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and private philanthropy. Additionally, biotech and pharmaceutical companies provide a small portion of research funding.
Providing the best, compassionate care for NPRC animals is a top priority and helps ensure research results are scientifically valid. NPRC staff monitors animals daily in order to quickly address any concerns, and all animals receive comprehensive annual checkups, much like humans. The NPRCs follow regulations and guidelines established by the NIH, the USDA via the Animal Welfare Act and institutional animal care and use committees. In addition, all NPRCs maintain AAALAC Int. accreditation, the gold standard in animal care.
