Rheumatology: Research
The Division has a very active and expansive basic and clinical research program in the field of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus headed by Dr. Tsokos. The laboratory, which consists of over 6,000 square feet of bench space, is located in the Clinical Life Science Building.
Investigations are supported by highly competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense as well as additional funding from foundations and pharmaceutical companies. Present funding exceeds 3.0 million dollars annually. Research activities within the Division include:
- The Human Lupus Laboratory , headed by Yuang-Taung Juang, M.D., PhD. , studies immune cell signaling and gene transcription events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The studies have revealed molecules that can be targeted therapeutically and others that can serve as disease biomarkers.
- The Animal Lupus Laboratory , headed by Guo-Min Deng, M.D., Ph.D. , studies the expression of lupus in animal models which are used to perform preclinical therapeutic studies.
- The Tissue Injury Laboratory conducts studies to determine mechanisms of tissue injury and in particular the involvement complement and other components of the immune system.
- Clinical Trials - The Rheumatology Division at the BIDMC has an active Clinical Trials program. Michele Finnell, NP, is the Associate Director of the Clinical Trials Unit.
- Lupus Center of Excellence
The Division sponsors:
- Monthly Lupus Lecture Series to promote interactions between basic and clinical investigators in the surrounding institutions.
- An Annual Symposium on Lupus which features pre-eminent lupus researchers as invited speakers.
- Dr. Tsokos chairs an Annual School on Systemic Autoimmune Diseases , Clinical Immunology Society, www.clinimmsoc.org/meetings/2008/said.
