Research Models for Infectious Diseases
The CNPRC’s large colony of domestically bred rhesus macaques allows us to study infectious diseases across the complete lifespan, from gestation to geriatric. Preclinical research performed in nonhuman primates provides the crucial proof-of-concept and scientific foundation to test new strategies in human clinical trials. This is extremely important in the study of pharmacology and therapeutics during pregnancy, infancy, and throughout childhood. Basic and translational research in infectious diseases is integrated and synergistic with other research areas (including immunology, pharmacology, pathology, biology, and neuroscience) at the CNPRC, the UC Davis School of Medicine, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and other institutions.
The CNPRC has a proven track record of R&D partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to help move novel products through the pipeline of drug development toward clinical trials and approval. These preclinical studies can be performed under GLP protocols. Some studies do not involve the actual infectious agents; examples are experiments on the immunogenicity and safety of novel vaccines, or the pharmacokinetics and safety of antiviral drugs. Infectious diseases that were recently or are currently being studied include:
- HIV/AIDS
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Influenza
- Influenza
- SARS-CoV-2
- Zika virus
- Dengue virus
- Mayaro virus
- Chikungunya virus
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Rift Valley Fever