SBIR-STTR Award

Non-human primates play an increasingly important role in biomedical research because of their similarities to humans. The supply of this vital resource from nature has become limited due to habitat destruction and export/import sanctions. The responsibility to provide a dependable supply of primates falls heavily upon domestic captive breeding programs. To insure maximum genetic diversity within the breeding colonies and to enhance their vitality, technologies must be developed to genetically monitor relatedness and paternity. Although capable of differentiating species and substantiating phylogeny, karyology and biochemical analysis have shown limited utility with respect to intraspecific differentiation/identity. Because of greater variation at the DNA sequence level, DNA profiling is a candidate for this purpose. We have the experience and probe resources to produce DNA profiles from many animal species, including non-human primates.Blood samples from 20 individuals of 9 species will be screened with up to 13 human-derived DNA probes. The resulting profiles will be examined for inter-individual band sharing information to assess the utility of each probe. Useful probes will be used to construct databases for each species. Long-term aims include the development of kits and training sessions that will allow testing to be performed at breeding facilities. These services and products will be offered to all commercial and federally operated facilities.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The research will allow us to develop and offer DNA profile testing services for genetic monitoring (relatedness assessment, paternity verification and sub-species/population differentiation) of colonies of non-human primates used for biomedical research. In the long-term, we hope to provide training and products that will allow the tests to be performed at both commercial and federally operated breeding facilities.National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)

Non-human primates play an increasingly important role in biomedical research because of their similarities to humans. The supply of this vital resource from nature has become limited due to habitat destruction and export/import sanctions. The responsibility to provide a dependable supply of primates falls heavily upon domestic captive breeding programs. To insure maximum genetic diversity within the breeding colonies and enhance their vitality, technologies must be developed to genetically monitor paternity, relatedness and genetic variability. Although capable of differentiating species and substantiating phylogeny, karyology and biochemical analyses have shown limited utility with respect to intraspecific differentiation/identity. Because of greater variation at the DNA sequence level, DNA profile testing is a candidate for this purpose.In Phase I of the study we have conclusively shown the utility of the OPT series of multi-locus DNA probes to assay variable loci in ten species of non-human primates most frequently used in biomedical research. In contrast with an extensive literature, our results suggest that DNA profile testing is a powerful tool for determining true genetic parameters in primate colonies.In Phase II databases will be constructed for each of the subject species, and computer software will be developed to calibrate band-sharing coefficients, determine band frequencies, estimate heterozygosity and allow manipulation of databases. Managers can use these data to verify parentage, estimate relatedness and assess genetic variability within/among colonies. Long-term aims include the development of products that will allow testing to be performed at breeding facilities.National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)