Non-human-primate core for translational vaccine research

Core 2. Nonhuman Primate Core Project Summary/Abstract The goal of Scientific Core 2, the Nonhuman Primate Core of the “Immunization against Multidrug-resistant Pathogens: Activating T Cell Immunity” Center of Excellence for Translational Research (IMPACT-CETR), is to provide and perform studies with Macaca mulatta (Rhesus macaques) for vaccine candidates developed by the research projects. Nonhuman primates (NHP) are widely used as a prospective disease model for pathogenesis studies induced by experimental infection and as means to produce host response for immunogenicity and protective efficacy of vaccine candidates. Scientific Core 2, located at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, will focus on the judicious and thoughtful use of rhesus macaques in the proposed studies, and will address the technical rubrics that may be encountered during vaccine development and testing. It will provide the required significant planning, expert involvement, and thoughtful performance of requisite steps to ensure the best use of a critically precious scientific resource. Aim 1 is to characterize host immune response and prevailing pathophysiology of baseline infection with either phenotypic or resistant strains of the selected bacterial pathogens in immunocompetent, naïve rhesus macaques. Aim 2 is to evaluate immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccine candidates in NHPs. Scientific Core 2 will generate expert test systems for subsequent vaccine candidate evaluation and may yield novel tractable strategies for future medical countermeasure development and optimization.