Genome Editing and Therapy

New methods such as CRISPR, TALEN and NgAgo permit rapid and efficient genomic modifications, and are increasingly used in the laboratory and are potential tools for gene therapy in humans. Custom monkeys with specific gene modified have become a more efficient experimental tool due to the new reproductive technologies and efficient genetic-engineering techniques. 

Stem Cell & Translational Medicine

Progress on stem cell research translation promise great prospects for treatment of degenerative, chronic and/or fatal diseases and injuries in human clinical trial. The nonhuman primate could contribute to initial experimental success and protocol development, with the potential for animal studies involving safety and efficacy evaluation. Establishing the medical potential of stem cell-derived phenotypes involves evaluating safety from the host's perspective and efficacy of the graft post-transplantation. A role for animal experimentation and especially for NHPs in neurodegenerative conditions seems obvious. It is clear that NHP research activities are appropriate and desirable in translational research when a NHP model is necessitated by ethical concerns and the requirement for primate testing.

Nonhuman Primate Models for Human Diseases

The selection of the laboratory species is one of the most important decisions to be made in biomedical research. Nonhuman primates have been considered as the best preclinical models that will more closely reflect human physiological characteristics and behavior but will be less susceptible to some diseases than other animals. Therefore, the use of NHP remains unavoidable in several essential research areas, such as Type 2 Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, AIDS, Drug Abuse / Dependence Studies and Neuro-Degenerative Diseases. In this topic, we will focus on employment and potential applications of nonhuman primate models in biomedical researc