The German Primate Center (DPZ) - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research conducts biological and biomedical research in all fields in which studies on non-human primates play essential roles: in particular in infection research, the neurosciences and organismic primate biology. The DPZ is committed to high ethical standards and transparent communication. Building on its expertise and infrastructure it sets standards for breeding, keeping and experimental use of primates and advises and supports other research institutions, especially by providing animals from its breeding facilities. The DPZ also operates five field stations for research on primates in their countries of origin.
Service
We implement our unique expertise in the field of animal keeping, breeding and experimental use of primates to improve both the welfare of the animals and the quality of the research results. We advise scientific institutions, organize further education and make samples, animals and the infrastructure in Göttingen and our four field stations available to cooperation partners.
Responsibility
We take responsibility for the animals entrusted to us and towards society. This guides us in the strategic direction of our research, in our collaborations and in the endeavor to make our findings accessible to politics and the public. We are committed to good scientific practice, ethical conduct and the 3R Principle* when working with lab animals. With our research, we also contribute to the protection of endangered primate species.
Vision
It is our goal and demand to be one of the world’s leading primate centers nowadays and in future. With our research, we strive to find answers to fundamental questions in biology and medicine and to enhance the protection of endangered primate species. Basis for this is excellent research, supported by an efficient infrastructure consisting of scientific service, primate husbandry and field stations. We make our science-based services and our expertise in all aspects of animal keeping, health, breeding and behavior of primates, as well as on the subject of animal welfare and science communication, available to our partners and continuously develop them further. In order for our research results to achieve the best possible benefits for science and society, we foster their transfer, the Open Science movement, the digitization of research data and public outreach. The broad spectrum of our topics enables transdisciplinary research at the Primate Center as well as within the framework of Leibniz research networks and third-party funded projects. We actively participate in research and teaching at the Göttingen Campus with the aim to develop it into an inspiring place for outstanding pioneering leaders and young talents.
* The 3R Principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine) refers to an approach for planning and implementation of animal experiments for which the reduction of numbers and stress for the animals is an essential criteria. For the DPZ a fourth R, Responsibility, applies too, thus the responsibility of the researchers for their lab animals.