Grant Number:   
5R01RR016300-05

PI Name:                     FREIMER, NELSON B.

PI Email: nfreimer@mednet.ucla.edu

PI Title: Professor and Director

Project Title: A Vervet Monkey (Cercopithecus Aethiops) Genetic Map

Office 310-794-9571
Lab 310-794-9598

Nelson Freimer
453 12th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Home 310-917-1928
Cell 310-450 1399 ?

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is the renewal of a project that is developing an integrated genetic resource for investigations of complex traits in the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops), also known as the African Green monkey. Genetic investigation of complex traits will increasingly include a combination of traditional genetic mapping with identification of candidate genes through gene expression profiling. The renewal of this project will produce an integrated genomewide genetic reference map consisting of microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The development of a microarray resource, covering a wide range of brain and non-brain tissues, at several points of development will enable investigations of gene expression in the vervet. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies will provide anatomic guidance for dissection of brain tissues for microarrays. The tools generated from this project will facilitate investigation of a wide range of human diseases and traits, including complex behaviors and infectious diseases. The utility of such studies derives from the fact that humans are much more similar to other primates than they are to other model organisms such as the mouse. The worldwide shortage of rhesus macaques for biomedical research has created a tremendous need for alternative non-human primate models. Vervets share many biological and behavioral similarities with macaques and are readily available to researchers. This project will further enhance the value of the vervet for biomedical research.

Thesaurus Terms:
Cercopithecidae, behavioral genetics, ethology, genetic mapping, genetic marker, single nucleotide polymorphism
Internet, developmental genetics, gene expression, gene expression profiling, genetic polymorphism, genome, microarray technology, molecular biology information system, phenotype, population genetics, technology /technique development
fluorescent in situ hybridization, genetic library, genotype, linkage mapping, magnetic resonance imaging, polymerase chain reaction

Institution: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
Office of Research Administration
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024
Fiscal Year: 2006
Department: NONE
Project Start: 01-SEP-2002
Project End: 30-JUN-2008
ICD: NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES
IRG: GNM

visit his website: <Click Here>

It mentions in the first paragraph the following:

"Freimer's laboratory focuses on genetic mapping studies with a particular emphasis on neurobehavioral phenotypes and on investigation of population isolates. Many of the traits that they are interested in have a strong connection with brain development, including Tourette syndrome, absolute pitch, and temperament, and several behavioral traits in vervets, including maternal-infant interactions and response to stress. "