Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) is a rare genetic disease that causes progressive and irreversible vision loss in both eyes starting in the first decade of life. There is currently no treatment for ADOA, which affects approximately 3 people per 100,000 worldwide.

UC Davis researchers will use a new 3.5 million grant from the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, to develop a nonhuman primate model of ADOA to speed the development and testing of treatments for humans.

Maria Blasi, 2020-2021 Pilot Research Project Awardee, set out to examine why infants and young children with COVID-19 experience lower hospitalization and fatality rates than older populations. Her findings revealed notable differences in immune response and cellular activity during recovery.

The CNPRC Pilot Research Program provides investigators with unique facilities for nonhuman primate research, specialized core services, core scientist expertise, and funding to conduct pilot investigations.

The CNPRC Pilot Research Program is accepting letters of intent until March 10, 2023. 

Intranasal oxytocin is a treatment used to reduce social impairment in several neurological behavioral disorders, such as autism. However, the long-term effects and efficacy of the treatment are currently under examination.

A series of studies published by Dr. Karen Bales’ lab at the California National Primate Research Center revealed that chronic intranasal oxytocin (OT) produces sex-specific biological and behavioral responses in titi monkeys, a monogamous nonhuman primate.

As the first long-term study of chronic intranasal oxytocin treatments given during primate adolescence, these findings emphasize the complexity of the treatment and lay an important foundation for more research on its use in humans.

HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, destroys CD4 cells, also known as helper T cells, in the immune system. Without these cells, bodies have a hard time fighting off various diseases. While there is currently no cure for HIV, people now live long and fulfilling lives when treated medically. 

Long-term medical treatment isn’t ideal, however, making the fight far from over. A new study from the Emory NPRC determined specialized immune cells can reach HIV's hiding spots. These findings will help develop new cure strategies for HIV. 

The National Institutes of Health has awarded $3.8 million to Texas Biomedical Research Institute to further develop a promising HIV vaccine candidate that stops the virus upon entry, before it begins rapidly spreading throughout the body. The new four-year grant will go towards building on promising results in nonhuman primates and delve deeper into how the vaccine works on molecular and genetic levels.