Section on Comparative Behavioral Genetics

Head: Stephen J. Suomi

Our research involves broad-based investigation of primate biological and behavioral development through comparative longitudinal studies of rhesus monkeys and other primates. Our primary goals are to characterize distinctive biobehavioral phenotypes in our rhesus monkey colony, to determine how genetic and environmental factors interact to shape the developmental trajectories of each phenotype, and to assess the long-term behavioral and biological consequences for monkeys from different genetic backgrounds when they are reared in different physical and social environments. A second major program of research investigates how rhesus monkeys and other nonhuman primate species born and raised under different laboratory conditions adapt to placement in environments that model specific features of their natural habitat.

Resources

• Employee Listing
• E-Mail the Lab: suomis@mail.nih.gov