Genetic Tools for Optimizing the Use of Rhesus Macaques
for Translational Research - April 19-20, 2006
Workshop Summary
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) organized this workshop,
which took place on April 19—20, 2006 at the Natcher Conference Center
on the NIH campus. The purpose of the workshop was to define the next generation
of genetic tools needed to optimize the use of rhesus macaques in translational
research. This topic was deemed to be timely by NCRR, because the rhesus is
the most widely used nonhuman primate for translational studies directly related
to human health. A set of first-generation genetic tools have been developed,
and the rhesus genome sequence has now been determined. Thus, there is a need
to define the next generation of genetic tools.
The workshop was comprised of two parts. The first part consisted of 10
short presentations summarizing the status of existing studies, including
genetic and physical maps, discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs),
sequence of the rhesus genome, specific sequences of immunological interest,
microarrays, databases, and an overview of proteomic technologies. The second
part of the meeting consisted of panel discussions on specific application
areas, including data sharing, AIDS, transplantation, emerging infectious
diseases, aging, neurobiology and behavior, cardiovascular disease, metabolic
syndrome, and respiratory disease. Altogether, combining both parts of the
meeting, 41 scientists gave presentations or participated in the panels. The
agenda also included ample time for general discussion and input from the
entire group that participated in the workshop (approximately 80 people, including
NIH extramural staff).
Each application panel was asked to address the following:
- For the particular discipline under discussion, which genetic tools are
used most frequently at the current time?
- What are the major barriers in the field that could be overcome by development
of new genetic tools or refinement/expansion of existing tools?
- What new (or expanded) bioinformatics tools are needed?
- Provide a prioritized list of the major tools needed (or refined/expanded)
in the next 3 years and the next 6 years, respectively.
Based on the answers to these questions, as well as on the information provided
about the current technologies, the participants identified common needs across
the application areas and provided recommendations for development of the
next generation of genetic tools for the rhesus macaque. These conclusions
are summarized in the final workshop
report.