Skip to main content

Research Benefits

magazine cover
  • Advanced Human Health Research: CPRC's rhesus macaques have been pivotal in understanding and developing treatments for diseases, evidenced by their role in reproductive biology studies, like the development of the Hulka clip for tubal ligation.  
  • Disease Model Innovations: CPRC macaques have been used in various disease studies, including research on HIV/AIDS, Zika virus, and other infectious diseases. These studies help develop vaccines and treatments, utilizing the close physiological similarities between rhesus macaques and humans.  
  • Behavioral and Cognitive Studies: Long-term behavioral studies on Cayo Santiago have provided insights into social hierarchies, communication, aging, and cognitive decline within primate groups, contributing valuable analogs for human psychological and geriatric studies. 
  • Climate Impact Studies: Research on how climate change affects primate behavior and ecology at Cayo Santiago provides valuable insights into environmental adaptations and the resilience of biological systems. 
  • Neurological and Genetic Research: The macaques have also been used in neurological and genetic research, contributing to the understanding of genetic diseases and the development of gene therapies which can be translated into human medical practices.