National Non-human Primate Breeding and Research Facility [ 2007 - 2012 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr John Phelps (Principal investigator) ,  Ms Rachel Borg ,  Prof Alexander Smith ,  Prof Edward Byrne ,  Prof Marcello Rosa

Brief description Some biomedical research is best undertaken on primates, in order to allow the greatest relevance to understanding health and disease in humans. Examples of such research include studies into diseases like HIV-AIDS and much of the research into understanding the human brain and nervous system. The National Health and Medical Research Committee (NHMRC), through its Animal Welfare Committee, has taken an international leadership position in ensuring that any non-human primates used for biomedical research are bred and housed in the best possible facilities and looked after with the highest level of care available. To ensure this quality of care, it is NHMRC policy to only use animals that have been bred and reared specifically for research purposes. The National Non-Human Primate Breeding and Research Facility, hosted by Monash University, ensures that Australian community has access to macaque monkeys and marmosets to carry out research under the highest quality conditions. Additionally the colonies will provide a key resource in any national response to pandemics and bioterrorism for vaccine and response development.

Funding Amount $AUD 2,640,742.69

Funding Scheme NHMRC Enabling Grants

Notes Enabling Grant