Abstract
Introduction
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Among other projects the EUPRIM-Net established a Primate Biobank to which members of the EUPRIM-Net consortium contribute. The Biobank serves largely as a resource of various primate materials for scientists who strive to get primate material for their research. Tissue (including blood and serum) and genetic material of primate origin are vital for various studies in biomedical research but obtaining such material is often difficult and time-consuming. Comparative studies in particular may be impeded due to limited or non-availability of appropriate primate material. Primate Biobanks can ensure quick provision of samples, thereby reducing the work required of scientists to generate samples for their demand. By maintaining the EUPRIM-Net Biobank, to which several of the EUPRIM-Net institutes are contributing, primate material has been made available for research outside the network. Due to the contribution of different facilities, the biobank entails a wide variety of primate organic materials in different states of conservation. The collection comprises tissue and organs, genetic material, blood samples and cell lines from healthy as well as diseased animals of different primate species (e.g.,Macaca fascicularis, Macaca silenus, Papio hamadryas, Saguinus oedipus), with a focus on material from Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) and Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). All methods are in accordance with local and European law and have been approved by those agencies responsible.
The installation of this large biobank supports and promotes scientists working in biological or biomedical research across Europe. While samples are stored locally at the different facilities, the biobank is coordinated by the management of the EUPRIM-Net located at the German Primate Center (Göttingen/Germany). This centralized organization ensures an optimization of the collection, a quick distribution, and characterization of the samples. The EUPRIM-Net Biobank aims to contribute to the 3R-concept as it leads to a definite reduction of the number of animals needed.
The primate material is available to all scientists, however a cost-covering fee may be charged. Access of material free of charge is possible when researchers applying for primate material are situated at a university, research institute, or a company located in a Member State of the European Union or in an Associated State. Applications are managed via an online registration form, available at the homepage of the EUPRIM-Net (www.euprim-net.eu). The costs incurred for the samples delivered free of charge by EUPRIM-Net are supported by the EU for excellent projects. Quantities of available material can vary widely, depending on the specification of the demanded samples. Gratis samples are given out in a highly regulated manner and researchers are required to give a short description of their research plan (objectives and expected achievements). Samples can be delivered only after information on the project leader and the project aims has been obtained and eligibility criteria have been verified. Preparation, fixation and transport of the material can be adapted to the needs of the researcher. For that purpose, a preparation protocol or description of special requirements can be uploaded together with the online application.
To date, more than 225 tissue samples and more than 375 gene samples have been distributed free of charge to more than 60 user projects through the EUPRIM-Net BioBank. Although these numbers may seem low in comparison with other biobanks, the EUPRIM-Net Primate Material Biobank presents a very unique and valuable resource to researchers because of its well-archived collection of a wide variety of material.
EUPRIM-Net
c/o
German Primate Center
Kellnerweg 4
37077 Göttingen/Germany
Email:
Phone: +49 551 3851 454
Contact: Björg Pauling, Management & Coordination EUPRIM-Net
Institution core budget: 20%
Public targeted donation/foundation: 0%
Grants 20%
User fees 60%
The EUPRIM-Net Biobank currently has access to 1600 samples of genetic material from 130 different primate species. The EUPRIM-Net tissue bank does include archived material; nevertheless most users request fresh material and may have to wait until samples become available. Users are immediately informed whether their request can, in principle, be processed. User requests can be met within a few weeks under the premise that the requested material is available in principle.
For 2011/2012, the EUPRIM-Net processed 23 requests for 13 projects. 203 samples were given out; out of which 84 were whole organs and tissue, 110 genetic materials, 9 others.
Due to the sparse opportunities in which especially fresh blood samples, but also whole tissues and organs samples can be collected, these specific samples are very valuable and have the highest priority.
The EUPRIM-Net Biobank is a rare but enormously valuable resource. In comparison with other biobanks the number of requests and sample distribution is low while the efforts and costs of maintaining the biobank are high. Nevertheless, in the spirit of the 3Rs, it is our aim to maintain the biobank and contribute to the best science in Europe and worldwide with high quality primate material.
Extending the network of contributing primate centers within and outside Europe would greatly improve the biobank. An extended network would support the purpose to reduce the number of animals needed to provide primate material for research, as centralized coordination allows for a systematic overview of available material across Europe and beyond. Furthermore, the processing of requests for primate material coordinated by one centralized management makes bureaucratic procedures simpler and more straightforward. However, extending the network would call for an increase of dedicated personnel and an improvement of meta-data management on a large scale.