About NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource

Mission

The goal of the NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource is to facilitate the optimal use of nonhuman primate models in biomedical research by identifying, developing, characterizing and producing reagents for monitoring or modulating immune responses.

Reagent categories addressed by the Resource include reagents for:

• in vitro monitoring by flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISPOT, etc.
• in vivo modulation of immune responses
• in vivo depletion of targeted cell populations

Background

Researchers in the Division of Viral Pathogenesis at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have developed and utilized nonhuman primate models to study AIDS pathogenesis and vaccines. This laboratory has maintained an online database of immunologic reagent cross reactivity with different nonhuman primate species since 1996.

In 1999, a grant from NCRR established the NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource. This Resource developed and produced monoclonal antibodies for in vivo depletion of immune cell subpopulations in nonhuman primates.

In 2004, the scope of the NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource was expanded through a contract awarded from NIAID to include the development of new in vivo reagents and production of additional reagents for in vitro diagnostics.

NIAID and NCRR scientific advisory working groups provide advice on prioritizing reagents developed.

Access

Reagents developed through this resource are available to all scientists utilizing nonhuman primate models with priority given to federally-funded investigators upon approval by the NIH project officer. Access reagents under the Resource Reagents section of this website. Actual cost of production is recovered for some reagents. All reagents are for research use only.

Support of Nonhuman Primate Research Programs

The NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource supports NIH-funded programs, other federally-funded programs, international investigators and industry. In 2007, the Resource received over 200 requests for reagents. It supported over 60 different investigators and more than 90 NIH grants and intramural programs. More than 100 grams of antibody for in vivo administration to nonhuman primates is being produced and distributed each year.