Animals in Research
Marmosets and Zika
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…
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Monkey Enrichment for Indoor Housing
Monkeys are given enrichment such as toys, swings, climbing structures and other items to increase their behavioral diversity. Many of these objects are rotated on a regular basis, to keep them novel. This indoor enclosure for the monkeys at Oregon National Primate Research Center provides many opportunities that encourage natural…
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Rhesus macaque
Rhesus macaque monkeys are an important animal model due to their anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. Many benefits to human health would not have been possible without these special animals, including the development of life-saving vaccines such as polio, smallpox, and rabies. Effective treatments for HIV/AIDS have been created because of research…
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Outdoor Climbing and Wheel
Nonhuman primates, like these Rhesus macaques, are naturally curious. They spend a great deal of time foraging and investigating novel objects in their natural habitats. Environmental enrichment provides a way to simulate a natural environment for monkeys that are needed for research. This increases opportunities for the expression of species-typical…
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Baby rhesus getting mini marshmallow treat
Environmental enrichment is an important part of caring for research animals. Research animals are provided with several types of enrichment to stimulate species-typical behaviors. These juvenile rhesus macaques are enjoying mini marshmallow treats. Interactions with their caregiver give them social and intellectual stimulation, while strengthening their bonds with each other.…
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San Antonio Researchers Find Potential New Defense Against HIV Virus
A San Antonio research team under the leadership of Dr. Ruth Ruprecht has uncovered a potential new defense against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
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Learn more about how animals are needed to advance medicine and science. Below are some of our favorite resources: By species Fruit flies By resource AnimalResearch Info Foundation for Biomedical Research Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research Speaking of Research Understanding Animal Research (UK)
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Chinchilla
Chinchillas share anatomical and physiological similarities of the inner and middle ears of humans which make the chinchilla an ideal animal model for understanding and treating auditory issues.
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Cat
Cats contribute to research in neuroscience, ophthalmology, retrovirus research, inherited diseases, and immunodeficiency diseases. Cats are a valuable model for the study of Alzheimer’s disease because they uniquely replicate various integral parts of the pathology of the disease, in a way that’s similar to humans. Advances in veterinary as well…
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