Integrated Primate Biomaterials and Information Resource (IPBIR)

The purpose of the Integrated Primate Biomaterials and Information Resource is to assemble, characterize, and distribute high-quality samples of DNA that are of known provenance with accompanying demographic, genetic, medical, geographic, and behavioral information that is available. This project has been facilitated by a major cross-directorate infrastructure award from the National Science Foundation. To date, approximately 720 samples (biopsies, blood, and cell lines) representing over 100 species and subspecies have been provided to the resource by CRES. This project has enhanced the visibility and utility of the Frozen Zoo® and established our longstanding efforts as a crucial tool in studying the evolution and conservation of primate genetic diversity.

The Genetics Division of CRES processes blood samples and small skin biopsies from 63 zoos and other institutions that have primates in their collections. The processed samples are then shared with collaborators at Coriell, the distributing arm for IPBIR. Researchers can obtain genetic material directly from Coriell, instead of requesting samples from the zoos themselves. This is a revenue-generating project as overhead expenses accrue to the Zoological Society of San Diego. Receipt of this major grant award also facilitated our eligibility to apply for an National Science Foundation Instrumentation Award that brought approximately $200,000 of new equipment to CRES. Supplements to this award also have supported research experience for undergraduates here at CRES.

In addition to promoting the distribution through IBPIR of high-quality DNA of known provenance, CRES has made valuable material available to the research community in the form of cell lines from wild owl monkeys Aotus azarai. Fifteen samples obtained from wild individuals by Conservation Research Fellow Dr. Eduardo Fernandez-Duque have been designated for inclusion in IBPIR.