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Suzette D. Tardif Ph.D., Associate Professor
Michigan State University,
1982

(210) 562-5033
tardif@UTHSCSA.EDU

I have worked for 30 years in the fields of primatology, metabolic physiology and reproductive biology. My research interests have centered on the development of the marmoset monkey as a disease model. Marmosets are small South American primates.

For more information on marmosets and their use in research (including the recent sequencing of their genome) go to:

Primate Info Net
Wikipedia - Marmoset
Marmoset Genome Project
MaRGA

My research approach is highly integrative, as I seek both mechanistic and evolutionary explanations to understand the biology of this unusual group of nonhuman primates. I also work in collaboration with a wide array of investigators who wish to use marmosets as models in diverse areas - such as infectious disease, autoimmune disease and metabolic disease - to aid them in developing effective, efficient and humane research models.

My present research centers on two areas:

1. Reproduction and energetics, asking how do these small primates make both behavioral and physiological "decisions" regarding how much energy to invest in reproduction? We have developed both undernutrition and overnutrition models and are presently focused on overnutrition models. We are funded through the NIDDK/NIH to develop the marmoset as a model of maternal obesity. This study is examining the metabolic consequences of pregnancy in both spontaneously obese and diet-induced obese marmoset mothers, on both the mothers and their offspring.

2. Development of marmosets as a premiere primate model of aging. Because of their small size and associated shorter life span, marmosets have great potential as a species in which to better understand primate aging in a controlled environment. In collaboration with Drs. Austad and Richardson, I am working to develop a barrier-maintained marmoset breeding colony that will be available for aging research. While this colony is being developed, we are working through the marmoset resources that I developed while at the Southwest National Primate Research Center - conducting pilot studies to characterize possible frailty phenotypes (in conjunction with Drs. Espinoza and VanRemmen)

Marmosets are small, South American primates that normally give birth to twins or triplets (Individual carrying twin infants, heads of twin infants captured at ultrasound). They live in nuclear family groups, in which mothers, fathers and older offspring all participate in the care of infants.

Research Techniques:
Ultrasonography
Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (for body composition assessment)
Computerized Behavioral Data Collection (ObserverTM)

PUBLICATIONS:
Power ML, Bowman ME, Smith R, Ziegler TE, Layne DG, Schulkin J, Tardif SD. (2006) Pattern of maternal serum corticotropin-releasing hormone concentration during pregnancy in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Am J Primatol. 2006 Feb;68(2):181-8.

Tardif S, Bales K, Williams L, Moeller EL, Abbott D, Schultz-Darken N, Mendoza S, Mason W, Bourgeois S, Ruiz J. (2006) Preparing New World monkeys for laboratory research. ILAR J. 2006;47(4):307-15.

Tardif SD, Ziegler TE, Power M, Layne DG. (2005) Endocrine changes in full-term pregnancies and pregnancy loss due to energy restriction in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Jan;90(1):335-9. Epub 2004 Oct 13.

Tardif S, Power M, Layne D, Smucny D, Ziegler T. (2004) Energy restriction initiated at different gestational ages has varying effects on maternal weight gain and pregnancy outcome in common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus). Br J Nutr. 2004 Nov;92(5):841-9.

Tardif SD, Bales KL. (2004) Relations among birth condition, maternal condition, and postnatal growth in captive common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus). Am J Primatol. 2004 Feb;62(2):83-94.

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