The Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, is represented by the
Department of Immunobiology

The BPRC is a non-profit research institute on Foundation basis. BPRC uses unique models of serious disorders in the human population in genetically typed colonies of non-human primates. The research of BPRC-IM comprises two of the three major clinical disorders caused by unwanted activities of the immune system, namely rejection of transplanted organs (kidney, skin, pancreatic islets) and autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis). Research in the BPRC-IM is focused on a better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms to provide a basis for the development of more effective therapies. The fact that non-human primates and humans share a high degree of genetic and immunological similarity is a crucial condition for the research of BPRC-IM.

Contribution to the project:

• determining MHC polymorphisms in marmosets, and testing their immunocompetence using in vitro assays for cellular and humoral immune responses;
• phenotyping of leukocyte subsets with flow-cytometry;
• performing functional tests on cultured mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (ex vivo reactivity on a set of antigens and mitogens);
• investigating lymphoid organs (spleen, lymph nodes) with molecular, cellular and histological methods.

Dr. B.A. 't Hart
Dept. Immunobiology BPRC
Lange Kleiweg 139, NL-2288GJ Rijswijk
the Netherlands
Tel. +31-28-42699; Fax +31-15-2843999
E-mail:hart@bprc.nl

and

Dr. H.P.M. Brok
Animal Science Department, BPRC
Lange Kleiweg 139, NL-2288GJ Rijswijk
the Netherlands
Tel. +31-28-42699; Fax +31-15-2843999
E-mail:brok@bprc.nl

http://www.bprc.nl