This research is designed to improve the quality of the research resource. Rhesus monkeys are crucial in the development of models for many human diseases. The goal of this project is to determine the factors that contribute to the development of severely abnormal Behavior in rhesus monkeys and to identify strategies for prevention and treatment.

The nature of the HIV virus has created several barriers to effective immune control by the humoral and cellular arms of adaptive immunity leading to chronic viral replication. Of the vaccine approaches tested in the SIV/macaque model, vaccination with live attenuated lentiviruses has consistently yielded the most effective and durable protection against pathogenic heterologous SIV strains. However, safety issues preclude the use of live attenuated lentiviruses in humans.

HIV and AIDS represent a critical threat to public health in the United States and internationally. This annual symposium contributes to expanding the knowledge base that will ultimately result in a vaccine to prevent transmission of HIV and treatments for those currently living with AIDS.

This study proposes to investigate the prospective association and determinants of Telomere attrition and Diabetes Risk in American Indians using an existing, well-defined, longitudinal cohort, the Strong Heart Family Study. Results will provide valuable data regarding biological Aging and Diabetes in American Indians and other ethnic groups as well.

Gene copy number variation (CNV) is ubiquitous in eukaryotic genomes and the resultant dosage changes can play an important role in determining phenotype. We aim to define the extent, evolutionary dynamics and functionality of CNV in the malaria parasite genome (Plasmodium falciparum). To achieve this we will use comparative genomic hybridization (cGH) which provides an efficient tool for assaying both CNV and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and is particularly effective in haploid genomes.

TxBiomed will furnish the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment and facilities to perform vaccine testing using the MVA-BN-Marv vaccine against 3 viruses.

TxBiomed will direct the Strong Heart Study component of the Genetic Epidemiology of Causal Variants Across the Life Course consortium. Dr. Cole will select variants to be investigated further.

TxBiomed will provide marmosets, animal technicians and listening equipment in order to correlate Age and sex with the sounds a Marmoset primate makes.

The long-term goal of the Strong Heart Family Study is to detect, map, and identify polymorphic genes that influence variation in risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other related disorders that are major health problems in American Indians.