All nonhuman primates in research are provided access to enhanced care, including social, behavioral and nutritional enrichment. They often receive fruit and vegetables in addition to their traditional chow diet, and many times, the animals will receive treats like marshmallows. Proper enrichment is critical to ensuring the animals are well…

Marmosets were a critical model for understanding the effects of Zika infections on pregnant mothers.  In mid-2018, six national primate research centers conducted a collaborative study. It showed pregnancy loss due to Zika infections that don’t generate any symptoms in women may be a common, but unrecognized cause of unexpected…

Texas Biomed’s Southwest National Primate Research Center most recently invested $2.5 million to renovate a 12,000-square-foot building to be dedicated exclusively for marmoset housing and research. Marmosets require subtropical environments and have been studied extensively for infectious disease research. Because they have a relatively short life-span compared to other primates,…

Imaging technologies have greatly reduced the number of animals needed for research.  In the past, animals would have had to be euthanized in order to examine internal organs while today imaging allows visualization and study of what was previously not possible.  Here an anesthetized marmoset monkey is being prepared to…

Researchers view a marmoset’s MRI as part of an aging study to explore links between energy metabolism and neural function.  Diseases related to aging are serious concerns for the world's rapidly expanding population of older adults.  Some of these include: Type 2 diabetes, many cancers, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, obesity, metabolic syndrome,…

Research technician prepares a pregnant female marmoset for an ultrasound at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center.  Because they are acclimated to careful handling through positive reinforcement they are not anesthetized and do not experience any stress during the procedure.  They know and trust their caretakers.

These are common marmosets in the lobby of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. Dried fruit, grapes, peanuts and other "pocket treats" are provided by their caretakers. This helps provide enrichment and also facilitates the ability to do health checks and other routine care procedures.

This monkey is part of a family of common marmosets in the lobby of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. Adult common marmosets like this one weigh about 9 ounces. Marmosets are often referred to as "squirrel sized monkeys." Babies are born the size of an adult human's thumb. Marmosets…