Questions about the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC)

Why are scientific research institutes such as BPRC necessary?

In large parts of the world, people's health has improved considerably in the past century. This is not just because of improved hygiene, but is also largely due to breakthroughs in the medical industry, e.g.

drugs and vaccines that were developed during this century, often partially due to animal testing. Of course there are still life-threatening diseases that cannot be prevented or cured. In order to successfully combat these diseases, we must expand our knowledge. Biomedical research forms the basis for the development of new and safe drugs and therapies.

So what does BPRC actually do?

The Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) is a scientific research institute that conducts biomedical research on life-threatening diseases, e.g. AIDS, malaria, hepatitis, tuberculosis and autoimmune diseases such as MS.

At the same time, we also expend a great deal of energy on the development of testing methods that do not involve animal testing. For this reason, every department in our institute seeks to develop alternative research methods. Moreover, there is a special unit at BPRC that carries out research on alternative methods.
But that is not all BPRC does. We also collaborate with zoos, and we contribute to the health of primates living in the wild; BPRC researchers are working hard to develop methods which will help us preserve endangered species in an animal-friendly manner.

What role does BPRC play in research on life-threatening diseases?

In its capacity as Europe's one of the largest largest non-commercial primate research centre, BPRC plays a vital part in biomedical research on serious diseases affecting humans. BPRC conducts both exploratory and applied medical research for the purpose of improving public health.

The purpose of our exploratory research is to increase our knowledge of the genesis and pathogenesis of chronic and infectious diseases. The purpose of our applied research is to contribute to the development of new medications or therapies for serious diseases.

Without exception, such studies take a long time to be completed, and experiments involving primates continue to be necessary. We accommodate and look after our animals with great devotion and attention, and while we do so, we try to determine how we can change things in the future. For this reason, BPRC is very active in the development of alternative methods which do not involve animal testing.

We do not keep the results of our studies (both involving and not involving animals) to ourselves. We make all our data available to third parties through publications, for example. Besides that, our special biobank, constitutes a valuable source of information for organisations both in the Netherlands and abroad.

Where does BPRC get the money for all this research?

We prioritise animal welfare in our work. Our primates must be given as much room as they need to be themselves and move around freely.

It is vital to us that they lead happy lives, which costs a considerable amount of money. In order to ensure that BPRC can properly look after its animals, BPRC receives an annual grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

However, the Dutch government is not the only organisation to believe in our work. We also receive financial support from international governmental organisations and charities. The best-known foundations which believe in our work are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Why does BPRC receive government support?

Non-human primates are definitely not used for biomedical research as a matter of course. Quite the contrary, actually.

They are only used if no suitable alternatives are available. However, for the time being, this type of research will continue to be needed to eradicate serious diseases. For this reason, the government uses services provided by specialist primate research centres, such as BPRC, where loving care for laboratory animals and science go hand in hand.

Can I come and see for myself what BPRC is like?

You are welcome to come and see us at BPRC. Upon request (through e-mail), we will give schools, students and other interested parties a tour of our premises.

(Many reports of such visits can be found on the Internet.) We often receive visits from ministers, state secretaries and other policy makers, who are welcome guests at BPRC. In addition, we have regularly scheduled open days for locals and family members and acquaintances of our employees. Our centre receives over 600 visitors per year.

What is BPRC doing to remain relevant in the future?

BPRC prioritises quality over quantity. We demonstrate this in several ways.

For instance, we try to obtain more information from fewer animals, meaning we will need fewer animals for testing purposes. In addition, we expend a great deal of energy on identifying ways to conduct research that do not involve animal testing. Furthermore, we pay a great deal of attention to ‘ethological research’ (i.e., observation), which helps us give our primates even better living conditions. Another thing that matters to us a great deal is our research on improving the situation of endangered species living in the wild .

What is BPRC's organisational structure like?

One specialist department is responsible for looking after the animals used in our experiments and ensuring their welfare. The scientific research departments engage in the biomedical research and pre-clinical development required to ensure that promising new medications can be safely administered to human test subjects.

The people working at these departments are specialists in the fields of virology, neurobiology & aging, parasitology, genetics, ethology and alternative methods. BPRC employs well over a hundred people.

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Questions about the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC)

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