Analytical and Resource Core

The Clinical Laboratory provides both clinical and research support in the areas of hematology, microbiology, chemistry, parasitology, serum preparation, urinalysis, and flow cytometry (through the Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory). Basic laboratory tests are provided in all the above areas of clinical laboratory medicine. Please contact for specific panels available for serum chemistries.

For more information please contact:
Abigail Spinner, Clinical Laboratory Supervisor
Email:
(530) 752-5123

The Endocrine Core Laboratory provides a service of hormone analysis as well as consultation relating to endocrine research for investigators. This core represents the combined services of two semi-independent laboratories, one emphasizing analysis of biological specimens for reproductive hormones and the other for analysis of stress hormones. In addition, this core develops and validates steroid, monoamine, and protein hormone assays for use in research conducted with nonhuman primates. Services include steroid and protein hormone immunoassays in a variety of species from urine, saliva, or blood samples as well as cell-based bioassays in serum samples. Routine immunoassays include monkey chorionic gonadotropin, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, ACTH, thyroid hormones, and urinary metabolites of estrogen, progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone. Routine bioassays include bioactive androgens, estrogens, and luteinizing hormone. Other assays can be developed as needed by investigators. We can also offer assistance in experimental design and collection of samples, assessment of stress, and reproductive status.

For more information please contact:
Sally Mendoza, Ph.D. (stress-related hormones)
Email:
(530) 752-1988

Bill L. Lasley, Ph.D. (reproductive hormones)
Email:
(530) 752-8662

The Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory at the CNPRC provides access to, and services utilizing, state-of-the-art instruments. Currently the Laboratory has a FACS Calibur, which can be used for standard 4-color assays, and a FACS Aria, which has 3 lasers and can be used for multicolor flow cytometric analysis and for live cell sorting. Investigators interested in using these instruments can choose to run their own assays or have their samples run by a trained technician on a recharge basis. Training in the use of the instruments is available from the Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory supervisor. Cell sorting will only be performed by the Core Supervisor and trained technicians supervised by her.

The Flow Cytometry Core will perform the staining, acquisition, and analysis of standard Clinical Lab panels, but PI's can request custom panels. Specific scientific questions relating to the development of new flow cytometric assays will be addressed by staff from the Infectious Disease Immunology Core Laboratory and Respiratory Disease Immunology Core Laboratory at the CNPRC, with whom the Flow Cytometry Core staff collaborate closely.

For more information please contact:
Abigail Spinner, Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory Supervisor
Email:
(530) 752-5123

The mission of the Infectious Disease Immunology Core Laboratory is to provide interested researchers with assistance in the development of nonhuman primate infectious disease models and experiment planning. In addition, the goal of the Core Laboratory is to develop and provide the necessary tools for the analysis of nonhuman primate immune responses in these models. Currently, the following services are offered: blood and tissue processing (including mucosal tissues), antibody ELISAs against whole SIV and Hepatitis B, flow cytometric assays for phenotypic and functional characterization of multiple cell types (through the Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory), and RNA / DNA isolation (blood and tissues) and analysis for several target genes.

The Luminex multiplex microbead assay for the detection of antibodies and multiple immunomodulators in plasma or culture supernatants is available; this includes use of multiplex panels from commercial sources as well as custom assay development. In addition, the multiplex system is under development for analysis of RNA and DNA; applications will include genotyping and detection of infectious agents. For more information see: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/pathology/proteomics/.

Please inquire for additional assays or assay development. Assay development and standardization will be coordinated between this Core Laboratory and the Pulmonary Disease Immunology Core Laboratory. In the future, immunohistochemistry will be offered in collaboration with the Computational Imaging Core.

SIVmac239 and SIVmac251 virus stock is available through the Resource Services component of the Analytical and Resource Core.

For more information please contact:
Kristina Abel, Ph.D.
Email:
(530) 754-5673

The Pathogen Detection Core Laboratory, which has been in existence since 1986, offers antibody, antigen, virus, DNA, RNA and other diagnostic marker detection for a number of infectious agents including HIV, HVP2 (Herpes B surrogate marker), LCV, RRV, SFV, SIV, SRV, STLV, SV40, TB, RhCMV and other non human primate pathogens. All methods and reagents, including EIA, MMIA, WB, IFA, PCR, IHC, ISH and culture, are validated, standardized, and controlled by in-laboratory studies and proficiency testing using reference banks of characterized specimens. Quantitation is available by arrangement. Test results are reviewed by clinical laboratory personnel who are fully accredited by the American Society for Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Field Services of the State of California.

Custom testing, training, and consultation are available; please inquire. In addition, reagents and controls are available through Resource Services. PDCL is a resource for Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) colonies, field or epidemiological studies, research protocols, and atypical case resolution.

For more information please visit our website at http://pdl.primate.ucdavis.edu or contact
Nicholas Lerche, D.V.M., M.P.V.M.
Email:
(530) 752-8242

The objective of the Respiratory Disease Immunology Core Laboratory is to provide technical expertise and resources to investigators interested in the immunological evaluation of rhesus macaque models for lung disease. Studies are primarily carried out in conjunction with the Inhalation Exposure Core and the Computational Imaging Core, in order to provide a comprehensive evaluation of pathophysiological responses in the lung.

Services provided by the RDICL include assistance with experimental design, allergen characterization and preparation (through Resource Services), evaluation of allergen-specific IgE and IgG, and quantitation of histamine. The Core Laboratory also provides technical support for sample processing, including bronchoalveolar lavage, lung tissue, and blood. Flow cytometry and molecular analysis of lung and blood samples are coordinated with the Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory and the Infectious Disease Immunology Core Laboratory.

In addition to immunological evaluation, the Respiratory Disease Immunology Core Laboratory can provide investigators with primary cell isolates and in vitro culture of rhesus lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts. The Core does not conduct studies with human lung cultures; investigators interested in these services should contact Drs. Rick Harper and Nick Kenyon (UCDMC) for assistance. Please inquire for additional assays that are in development. In the future, immunohistochemistry of lung samples will be offered in conjunction with the Computational Imaging Core.

For more information please contact:
Lisa A. Miller, Ph.D.
Email:
(530)754-7546

The follow research resources of CNPRC are available to scientists on a recharge basis.

Allergen: Characterized protein extracts of house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) are available for allergen sensitization projects. Contact: Lisa Miller, Ph.D., .

Biological Specimens: Tissues, collected at necropsy, are available from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), and titi monkeys (Callicebus cupreus). Contact: .

Reagents and Samples: Reagents, controls, and known/unknown samples are available from the Pathogen Detection Core Laboratory. Samples include pedigreed sera/plasma, fixed tissues and DNA from macaques and various other species. Validated reagents for many pathogens are available, including SIV, SRV1-5, SFV, STLV, RRV, RhCMV, Herpes B, SV40, and LCV. More information is available at: http://pdl.primate.ucdavis.edu/PDLreagents.html. Contact: .

Transformed B-Cell Lines: Cryopreserved Herpes papio - transformed B cell lines from over 300 rhesus monkeys in the CNPRC colony are available. Transformation of macaque B cells to establish a new cell line is available on request. Contact: Michael B. McChesney, M.D., .

Virus Stock: Rhesus Cytomegalovirus: A unique primary isolate, developed at CNPRC, is available. Contact: Peter A. Barry, Ph.D., .

Virus Stock: Simian Immunodeficiency Virus: Aliquots of SIVmac251 and SIVmac239 virus stocks were prepared by propagation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from rhesus macaques and contain approximately 100,000 50% tissue culture infectious doses per ml. As measured by the commercial SIV branched chain assay, SIVmac251 contains 2 x 109 copies of SIV RNA per ml and SIVmac239 contains 109 copies of SIV RNA per ml. These virus stocks are infectious for rhesus macaques by intravenous, intravaginal and oral routes of inoculation. Contact: Koen VanRompay, Ph.D., .