Core offers advanced services to detect, quantify, and characterize pathogens, as well as assess host immune responses. Supports both standardized and custom assay developments. MVSC is composed of three integrated units: Virology Unit which provides viral stocks for variety of viruses at BSL2 and BSL3, as well as assay services including virus expansion and characterization, viral titer by plaque and TCID50 assays, live virus neutralization and inhibition assays at both BSL-2 and –3. Viruses currently in use by the core include SIV, HIV, Zika, Dengue, SARS-CoV-2, Mayaro, Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, Poliovirus, Enterovirus D68, and others. Luminex and Serology Unit Services include antibody detection in serum or plasma by Luminex-based assays and/or ELISA for SPF-agents such as SIV, SRV, STLV, B virus, SFV, CMV, RRV, SVV, SV40, and LCV, and non-SPF infectious agents like measles, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and SARS-CoV-2. This unit also offers services for cytokine quantification in body fluids including serum and CSF, as well as tissue culture supernatant. Sequencing Unit provides services related to quantitative PCR and RT PCR detection of viruses such as SIV, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2, as well as next generation sequencing services including whole genome (pathogen or host), epigenetics, targeted amplicons, and 16S and ITS metagenomics. Sequencing unit also performs single cell RNA-seq (10x and Parse) assays as well as NGS based genotyping of NHP, including for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) allelic genotyping.

The Vector-Borne Infectious Disease component of this core produces tick vectors for research on Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.The Diagnostic Parasitology component provides diagnostic services to clinical veterinarians and core and affiliate investigators when parasitic diseases are suspected in resident nonhuman primates. Services for affiliate investigators include blood parasite detection via microscopic examination of prepared blood smears
and quantitative buffy-coat analysis, and intestinal parasite detection via microscopic examination of direct wet mounts, zinc sulfate flotation prepared slides, or parasite-specific assays.

The purpose of the Pilot Research Program is to provide funds to investigators who show promise of developing a strong career in nonhuman primate biomedical research or who wish to add a nonhuman primate component to their existing research programs. The program is also open to investigators with established research programs using nonhuman primates who wish to develop substantially new research directions.

The Program will fund 2–4 pilot research projects per year depending upon receipt of meritorious applications, the availability of base-grant funds and resources to support the project. The direct cost for a single research project should not exceed $75,000 for no more than one year of support. No funds will be provided to cover facilities and administration (indirect) costs. No-cost extensions of up to one year will be permitted, with appropriate justification. Pilot research funds will not provide interim support for established projects or for any projects that have qualified for support from other sources.

Priorities for the TNBRC pilot funding will be given to research projects focusing on infectious diseases and/or how they may impact metabolic diseases including cardiovascular or CNS disease, diabetes, or other co-morbidities. AIDS-related applications should focus on NIH AIDS-related priorities including cure strategies, and effects of co-infection such as SIV/SHIV and TB co-infection, or comorbidities of SIV infection and cardiovascular, renal, and/or CNS diseases, etc. Preference will be given to proposals using existing NHP samples or animals already assigned to projects.

Pilot projects are typically exploratory or high risk / high impact rather than confirmatory, and only require preliminary data or results that are normally needed to obtain support from other sources of funding. The proposed study must have the potential to lead to a robust research grant application to outside funding agencies.

Investigators must be beyond the postdoctoral rank and must be based at a nonprofit academic or research institution. If the applicant is not a TNBRC Core Staff member, a Core Staff Scientist must sponsor him or her. The overall purpose of the project must contribute to the objectives of the Center’s research programs, and the projects themselves must have the potential to lead to an extramurally funded grant application. The proposal must be substantially different from the applicant’s funded projects. A Core Staff Scientist must assume responsibility for the overall management, coordination and reports concerning the project. In general, all major activities related to the approved project must be conducted and carried out on-site at the Center.

The Unit of Collaborative Research (UCR) is committed to delivering full or partial support for non-affiliate researchers interested in NHP research. UHR offers outside scientists access to NHP samples for preliminary studies and assay development. It affords opportunities to conduct NHP studies and opens avenues for collaboration between scientists and guidance in study design, management, budgets, and regulatory requirements.

The Tissue and Reagent Distribution Program (TRDP) has a long history of providing biological samples
and research support to fulfill the needs of affiliate scientists and private industries worldwide. The TRDP
facilitates the collection and distribution of nonhuman primate (NHP) tissues and reagents from one of several sample bank inventories or in coordination with other cores within TNBRC. TRDP personnel and laboratory are experienced and committed to providing full or partial support for researchers seeking NHP tissues and reagents

The TNBRC houses one of the only scientific cores within the collective NIH-funded resources that specifically focuses on infectious disease aerobiology. this is an important distinction because of the demonstrated expertise and corresponding equipment and facilities required for this type of research to be performed. The Infectious Disease Aerobiology Core facilitates biomedical research efforts that require the unique demands of aerosol and aerobiology in their respective performance.

Immunology Assay Services provides several immunology services to core and affiliate investigators. They offer multicolor staining for flow cytometry, access to an inventory of commonly used antibodies, reagent compounding, sample processing such as cell isolation, automated cell separation through RoboSep, and irradiation of biological samples. They also offer multiplex assays using a MESO QuickPlex SQ 120 Imager to investigators.

The Flow Cytometry Core provides analytical flow cytometry services and live cell sorting under enhanced Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2+) conditions.

Instruments available include six analyzers ranging from 4-30 color acquisition and three sorters using 1-,2-,4-way, and plate sorting between 6-18 colors. We provide experimental and panel design consultation as a service.

The core also provides continued education in seminar format and one-on-one sessions with user. The core is heavily utilized and supports research projects for a significant number of core and affiliate scientists.

The Flow Cytometry Core at the Tulane National Primate Research Center was awarded the ISAC Shared Resource Laboratory Recognition in April of 2025. This designation is given to flow cytometry facilities that adhere to internationally recognized best practices. This recognition is awarded between 2025-2028 with possibility of applying for continued recognition.

The Confocal Microscopy and Molecular Pathology Core (CMMPC) provides research support and training with molecular pathology skills, confocal microscopy, image analysis, and multicolor immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization techniques for internal and affiliate scientists. Services include assistance with experimental design, antibody selection, molecular probe selection, fixation and staining protocols, operating fluorescent and confocal microscopes, acquiring and storing imaging data, interpretation of results, and generation of publication-quality images. Image analysis services include assistance with capturing images for evaluation and with use of various image analysis software.

The Anatomic Pathology Core (APC) is responsible for post-mortem examinations, tissue collection and distribution, fixation, processing, slide preparation, routine and special staining, and diagnostic gross and histologic pathology services. The APC also processes and interprets biopsy specimens for both research and diagnostic purposes and provides tissue trimming, paraffin processing, sectioning, and routine and special staining for clinical and research staff and faculty. The APC works closely with clinical veterinarians, and through diagnostic pathology on biopsies and necropsies, plays a major role in monitoring and maintaining the health of the animals in the breeding colonies.

The Clinical Pathology Core (CPC) performs clinical diagnostic testing for all research and colony animals. This includes complete blood counts, routine chemistry panels, and microbial culture workups. The lab is equipped with the Sysmex XN1000v veterinary hematology analyzer, the Beckman AU480 chemistry analyzer, and the Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) instrument for microbe identification. This data provides essential information to research staff, veterinarians, and affiliated scientists for research objectives, as well as health information about the animals in our care. The CPC is staff with three American Society of Clinical Pathologist certified licensed Medical Technologists.

The High Containment Research Performance Core (HCRPC) provides full or partial support for researchers seeking to perform BSL3 and BSL2/BSL3 Select Agent studies and provides services for bacterial/viral culture and propagation, sample preparation, and processing of blood, BAL, single cell isolation, flow cytometry, and more. This core offers project management assistance in study design, budgeting, and IACUC and IBC preparation. Our standard operating procedures have been tested to ensure consistent practices and have undergone rigorous quality assurance processes to ensure reproducibility. The HCRPC offers assay services for qPCR, O’link Q100, Biorad Bioplex 200 , Meso QuickPlex SQ120 Imager and the Microscope Axio Observer.

The Genetics and Genome Banking Core assists in the design of breeding groups and monitors genetic diversity among the colony’s breeding animals. This core is responsible for maintaining a genome bank including DNA and cryopreserved primary fibroblast cell lines, including 700 cell lines and DNA samples representing nearly 9,000 animals. Genotype data using the NPRC standardized SNP array is available for 8,000 individuals and whole genome sequence is available for over 520 animals. Genomic data is available via mGAP and can be integrated with physical resource and records by contacting the core. Targeted genotyping for new model development and specialized breeding is also available.