Research

Researchers at the German Primate Center (DPZ) study with and about non-human primates in the fields of infectious diseases, neuroscience, and primate biology. For our own research and to support other institutions, we are active in the fields of primate housing and breeding and run five field stations in the tropics.

As a center of excellence and reference for all issues related to primate research and housing we are engaged in numerous national and international networks. We also place great emphasis on the training of young academics and communication about animal models in research.

The Main Research Topics of the German Primate Center

The passage area for the biosafety level 3 laboratory. Photo: Thomas Steuer

Infection Research

The section for Infection Research studies immunodeficiency viruses, respiratory viruses, and emerging viruses as well as bacteria and parasites.

Infection Research

A PhD student monitoring an experiment at the physiology lab. Photo: Thomas Steuer

Neuroscience

The section for Neuroscience investigates the central nervous principles of cognitive performance as well as the visual reception.

Neuroscience

A PhD student conducts an experiment on cognition with a ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). Photo: Thomas Steuer

Organismic Primate Biology

The section for Organismic Primate Biology studies the evolutionary origins of social and mating systems, the reproductive mechanisms, the communication, and the ecology of primates.

Organismic Primate Biology

Research-based Service

Detailed image of a stereomicroscope, which is integrated into the sterile bench. Photo: Thomas Steuer

Research Platforms

The German Primate Center provides Research Platforms that can be used by external scientists cooperating with the DPZ.
Research Platforms

Huts in the fieldstation Simenti (Centre de Recherche de Primatologie Simenti) in Senegal. Image: Peter Maciej.

Research Stations

The DPZ runs research stations in Peru, northern Guinea, Senegal, Madagascar and Thailand.

Visit the research stations

Rhesus macaques in the animal husbandry facilities of the DPZ. Photo: Anton Saeckl

Primate Husbandry

The Primate Husbandry is an integral part of the central infrastructure of the DPZ. Currently, we house about 1300 individuals of four species.

Primate Husbandry

Endocrinology Laboratory

The Endocrinology Laboratory is a central service unit of the German Primate Center. It supports our own research and offers a service in endocrine analysis for the science community and zoos in Germany and globally.

Endocrinology Laboratory

Histologic picture of yersiniosis in the liver of a common marmoset, H&E staining. Photo: DPZ

Pathology Unit

The Pathology Unit is an independent service unit of the German Primate Center. The service mainly includes diagnostic necropsies and necropsies within the scope of scientific projects.

Pathology Unit

Gene Bank of Primates

The Gene Bank of Primates is a collection of genetic materials (DNA, RNA, cell lines, tissue) of non-human primates and currently contains ca. 1400 samples from 133 species.

Gene Bank of Primates