MHC Genetic Typing Core

Tulane University Of Louisiana, New Orleans LA

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Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – MHC GENETIC TYPING CORE The SPF rhesus macaque breeding colony for HIV/AIDS-related research at the Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) is part of an extensive, evidence-based, integrative program that incorporates best practices in health surveillance, husbandry, preventative medicine, behavioral, and genetic management. The genetic management program aims to 1) maintain genetic diversity and minimize inbreeding to support sustainable populations and 2) characterize major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I alleles in support of HIV/AIDS-related research activities. To this end, the TNPRC Genome Bank collects and stores materials from all colony animals. The colony is characterized for ancestral geographic origin and parentage confirmed using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels developed and standardized across the National Primate Research Center (NPRC) system. MHC typing for all animals includes MHC deep sequencing and standardized reporting focused on the 10 class I alleles that are most commonly incorporated into the research needs of core and affiliate scientists. Over the previous grant funding period, whole genome sequencing (WGS), supported by external funding, was completed for 356 breeding animals with the greatest reproductive output. This brings the total number colony animals with whole genome sequence available to 602, including 41 animals currently supported by this U42. Further, MHC deep sequencing has been brought in-house, and the MHC Genetic Typing Core has transitioned from PCR-based allelic genotyping to a more comprehensive next-generation sequencing- based approach. The efforts of the MCH Genetic Typing Core are supported by core TNPRC scientists in concert with the broader NPRC community through consortia activities, notably the Nonhuman Primate Genetics, Genomics, and New Model Development Working Group. The ongoing efforts of the genetic management program and MHC Genetic Typing Core are to continue to provide high-quality MHC characterization of the SPF breeding colony in support of HIV/AIDS-related research, to integrate MHC typing with other genetic and genomic data currently being characterized at the TNPRC, and to develop additional support structures for sharing this data with the research community. These efforts ensure that the SPF rhesus macaque breeding colony at the TNPRC is healthy, sustainable, and of maximal translational research value to the broader community of HIV/AIDS researchers.