Comparative Medicine

WEB SHORTCUT: NCRR.NIH.GOV/CM

NCRR's Division of Comparative Medicine helps meet the needs of biomedical researchers for high-quality, disease-free animals and specialized animal research facilities. The Division supports both individuals and research organizations.

See the latest news, policies, education and training materials, and information about animals in research on the NIH Medical Research with Animals website.

Aquatics

Some aquatic animals serve as models for studying human development, behavior, and disease. With short reproductive cycles and transparent eggs that are easily observed as they develop, Zebrafish are useful for research. Other aquatic models include marine slugs, squid, and octopi.

NCRR's aquatic models program funds development and maintenance of critical genetic stocks, biological materials, and online information for researchers.

Comparative Models

Simpler species such as fruit flies and roundworms are genetically well characterized, inexpensive, and can undergo many genetic manipulations during short periods of time. Results from experiments involving these less complex models can help scientists decide whether to pursue similar research with higher species.

NCRR's comparative models program supports development and use of new and improved animal models that complement those more traditionally used to study human diseases.

Genetic, Biological & Information Resources

NCRR supports a variety of sources for genetic analysis services, biological materials such as cultures and reagents, and on-line information about model organisms.

Nonhuman Primates

Nonhuman primates such as rhesus monkeys are critical for biomedical research because of their close physiological similarities to humans. They enable discoveries that apply directly to studies on human health and help scientists test treatments for health conditions such as drug addiction, obesity, malaria, and AIDS.

NCRR's nonhuman primate program funds animals, facilities, technologies, and materials that support this research. NCRR also is responsible for the National Institutes of Health Chimpanzee Management Program.

Rodents

Rodents play a central role in research that can translate into treatments for human disease. Mice share much in common with human genetics, development, physiology, behavior, and disease and are used to predict promising directions in biomedical research.

NCRR's laboratory rodents program funds development of genetically engineered rodents and research rodent colonies, facilities that distribute rodents and related biological materials, and new ways to study, diagnose, and eliminate laboratory rodent disease.

Small Business Opportunities

NCRR participates in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program. The Division of Comparative Medicine is especially interested in funding research to develop biomedical methods and technologies that relate to improvements in laboratory animal care, use, and management. READ MORE >>

Career Development Opportunities

Scientists experienced in comparative medicine contribute important expertise to animal, molecular, and genomic studies leading to translational research that benefits human health.

NCRR offers support for individuals, mentors, and institutions intended to enhance the research careers of individuals with D.V.M. or Ph.D. degrees, as well as predoctoral veterinary students.