Population Council Research that makes a difference

Center for Biomedical Research

The Population Council's Center for Biomedical Research (CBR) undertakes basic research in the reproductive sciences. It also develops new contraceptive methods, hormone therapies, and HIV-prevention products.

The Council has also conducted a postdoctoral fellowship program in reproductive biomedicine since 1953. This program helps train the next generation of reproductive scientists from developing countries, thus enhancing the capacity of those countries to address reproductive health issues.

The Population Council's Center for Biomedical Research conducts biomedical research in reproductive health and HIV and AIDS and develops reproductive health and HIV-prevention products. Basic research at CBR focuses on male and female reproductive processes and immunological processes related to sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HIV. The program provides the knowledge base upon which applied research and successful product developments are built.

The product development program includes contraceptives and extends to applications in the broader context of reproductive health, for example, hormone therapies and vaginal microbicides. The International Committee for Contraception Research, a network of distinguished scientists and clinical investigators that was established by the Population Council in 1970, works closely with the staff at CBR in designing these new technologies.

In addition to its scientists, the Center for Biomedical Research has on-site resources that greatly help in its investigations. For example, some specialized biomedical research procedures are difficult, time-consuming, and expensive for individual investigators to handle in their own labs. CBR's central Cell Biology and Flow Cytometry Core Facility assists in these procedures. It provides services for growing cells of many species, particularly mammalian cells. This allows researchers to consolidate costs, while ensuring expertise and quality control in the preparation of laboratory materials and minimizing reliance on laboratory animals.

Patricia L. Morris is director of biomedical research. CBR's scientists, administrators, and other professional and support staff are located at its New York laboratories on the Rockefeller University campus.