• SITE OF THE COUNTRY'S
ONLY PRIVATELY OWNED FULL-SIZE MAXIMUM CONTAINMENT LABORATORY.
In SFBR's sophisticated Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory,
our virologists safely study deadly pathogens for which
there are no treatments or vaccines.
• CONDUCTING INNOVATIVE AND HUMANE RESEARCH WITH
NONHUMAN PRIMATES.
Southwest Foundation enjoys a distinguished history in the
humane and appropriate use of nonhuman primates for biomedical
research. Our facilities are accredited by an international
accrediting organization, and they are routinely inspected
by three federal agencies responsible for assuring the proper
care and use of laboratory animals. Our expertise with using
nonhuman primates in research is exemplary.
• SITE OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH'S SOUTHWEST
NATIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER.
In 1999, SFBR became the site of the country's eighth
primate center, and the first to be established since the
inception of the program and its original seven centers
almost 40 years ago. This designation has allowed SFBR to
expand its role as a resource for other scientific institutions
around the country.
• HOME TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST BABOON BREEDING
COLONY, WITH 3,800 BABOONS.
Of these, 2,400 are part of a unique pedigreed baboon colony,
on which scientists have maintained family, genetic and
medical histories for six generations. Going back nearly
40 years, this pedigreed colony is a powerful tool for genetic
research. Southwest Foundation maintains more than 2,000
other primates, including a variety of other monkey species
as well as a colony of about 220 chimpanzees.
• WHERE THE BASIC BABOON GENE MAP WAS DEVELOPED.
Our geneticists have made it possible for researchers to
find the locations of genes – and eventually to identify
specific genes – that control susceptibility to heart
disease, hypertension, osteoporosis and other common chronic
diseases.
• HOME TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST MARSUPIAL COLONY.
with 2,400 fully pedigreed laboratory opossums. These animals
provide unique opportunities for research on early development,
and they serve as unique animal models for hypercholesterolemia
and malignant melanoma.
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