MHC typing to support diverse macaque colonies for AIDS and infectious disease research
Official title: MHC Genetic Typing
Funded at University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences · NIH-11381109 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A specialized core will keep a genetically diverse group of Indian-origin rhesus macaques for AIDS-related and other infectious or autoimmune disease studies, using detailed MHC typing to help researchers choose the right animals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2016 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $283,783 |
| NIH project number | 5U42OD021458-25 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381109 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to human patients; this core serves researchers using macaque models for AIDS and related diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Direct clinical benefit to patients is not the aim of this core; it supports animal research infrastructure.
What this research studies
This NIH core provides ongoing genetic management of a live breeding colony of SPF rhesus macaques, focusing on MHC class I and II genetics to support AIDS and other infectious or autoimmune disease research. Researchers can access animals with specific MHC haplotypes through a relational database and pedigree data, helping match models to study needs while maintaining diversity and minimizing inbreeding. The core uses STR-based parentage, pedigrees, and MHC data from Illumina MiSeq sequencing to expand and sustain the colony. By maintaining comprehensive genetic information and a growing pool of well-characterized animals, the core enables studies that rely on precise immune genetics in non-human primate models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve the quality and reliability of AIDS and infectious disease research using macaque models by providing better-matched animals and preserving genetic diversity.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has demonstrated that careful genetic management improves colony health and research relevance in non-human primate studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
San Juan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sariol, Carlos a — University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
- Study coordinator: Sariol, Carlos a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.