Our Mission

SNPRC is improving the health of our global community through
innovative biomedical research with nonhuman primates.

Services

The Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) serves as a national resource for investigators who are performing nonhuman primate research.

Research

There are two scientific units that drive research at Southwest National Primate Research Center and serve Texas Biomedical Research Institute.

Education

SNPRC is dedicated to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders and innovators.

SNPRC scientists have pioneered the marmoset monkey as a model for studying natural aging processes and related diseases. They conducted the foundational studies necessary to establish that the small monkey ages similarly to humans, developing similar body conditions and diseases including cognitive decline. Aging Research with baboons and chimpanzees established that a mixture of specific proteins and a matrix material can dramatically hasten the restructuring of bone after surgery or accidental breakage. It is expected that this product will soon be widely used and that it will significantly reduce recovery time after bone breakage or surgery. Bone Healing Texas Biomed and SNPRC scientists identified the rhesus macaque as the primary animal model necessary to test COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. This enabled researchers worldwide to confidently test future therapies and vaccines for safety and efficacy. Our scientists worked with Pfizer and BioNTech to test their successful COVID-19. COVID-19 Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Texas Diabetes Institute, UT Health San Antonio and University Health reported promising results following a minimally invasive procedure that dissolved abdominal fat in two patients in 2021. The goal of the novel procedure was to improve the patients’ health and minimize or reverse the adverse health effects of their Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes surgery Researchers at Texas Biomed and SNPRC have been working since 2008 to identify therapies and vaccines to use against Ebola virus and other hemorrhagic fever viruses. These therapies and vaccines have received emergency use authorization in times of outbreak. Ebola treatments and vaccines Researchers at Texas Biomed and SNPRC pioneered the use of total genome microarrays to examine the innate immune response in the liver to HCV infection. These studies initiated the use of microarrays in the field of hepatitis. Texas Biomed scientists were also pioneers in early HCV research, developing the technology to grow the virus in the lab. Hepatitis B and C Research on premature baboons in the early 1980s led to a partnership between Texas Biomed, Wilford Hall Medical Center and the Southwest Research Institute to develop a high frequency neonatal ventilator. Initially built to help premature baboons, the ventilator served as the prototype and precursor to the modern-day ventilators used to keep premature human newborns alive. High Frequency Ventilator Texas Biomed has been at the forefront of AIDS research since the early 1980s, contributing the scientific expertise in animal models for HIV/AIDS for testing early antiretroviral therapies that have become the standard AZT therapy used today. Researchers at SNPRC were also closely involved in researching early PrEP (pre-exposure therapeutic) candidates. HIV Basic physiological research with premature baboons advanced the development of a natural product called Surfactant to minimize and prevent lung distress and damage in premature newborn babies. Surfactants are now in common use in neonatal intensive care units. Surfactant Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the largest research programs at Texas Biomed and SNPRC with researchers focused on understanding everything from lung mucosa to HIV/TB co-infection to impacts of aging on the human lung environment and susceptibility to TB. Tuberculosis Early research on baboon and transplantation led to early xenotransplantion efforts, including the first baboon-to-human heart transplant in 1984, a baboon-to-human liver transplant in 1992 and baboon-to-human bone marrow transplant for an AIDS patient in 1996. All of this early research led to current successful efforts at xenotransplantation of pig hearts. Xenotransplantation Researchers at Texas Biomed and SNPRC have collaborated with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) and the Trudeau Institute to test the efficacy of a Zika virus vaccine candidate developed by WRAIR. The promising vaccine candidate has completed early clinical trials in people. Zika Vaccine Aging Bone Healing COVID-19 Diabetes surgery Ebola treatments and vaccines Hepatitis B and C High Frequency Ventilator
 HIV Surfactant Tuberculosis Xenotransplantation Zika Vaccine Microscopic picture of bone Ebola Virus Graphical Representation Banner showing surgeon in mask with light behind him Vials of Hepatitus vaccine with syringe HIV Virus Representation Photo of person with a t-shirt with a graphical representation of lungs on it Xray showing inflammed section of lung Image of Baboon Photo of Mosquito on white

News

SNPRC welcomes Eric Vallender as Associate Director of Research

“The highlight of my summer”: Inspiring the next generation of innovators 

Not just a job: Meet the leaders of our animal care and technician teams

Groundbreaking maternal nutrition research program marks 40 years of discovery

The human side of tuberculosis: Patients’ stories fuel scientists’ resolve

Top talent recruited to Texas Biomed and Southwest National Primate Research Center

Advancing Science Responsibly: How NPRCs Use and Develop Research Alternatives

TB vaccine candidate provides ‘elite’ protection

Jordi Torrelles elected to American Academy of Microbiology

All News

Hosted at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Southwest National Primate Research Center is one of seven federally-designated National Primate Research Centers that is searching for causes, preventions, treatments and cures that lead to longer, healthier lives worldwide.