Autoimmunity Branch
The branch investigates autoimmunity, a feature of rheumatic diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and dermatomyositis.
Biodata Mining and Discovery Section
Led by Dr. Hong-Wei Sun, the Biodata Mining and Discovery Section facilitates biomedical research to support NIAMS IRP scientists and their discoveries.
Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit
Led by Dr. Timothy Bhattacharyya, the unit investigates orthopedic conditions, including femur fractures and hip infections, and related treatments.
Clinical Research @ NIAMS
Based on Translational Research methods, NIAMS clinical trials give researchers a biological understanding of a disease that can inform their studies.
Clinical Trials and Outcomes Branch
Led by Dr. Michael Ward, the branch investigates health outcomes in patients with SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, and explores tools for measuring them.
Community Research and Care
The Community Research and Care Branch is a site of supervised training for rheumatology fellows and permits the evaluation and treatment of subjects who are members of the minority community. Our protocol aims to facilitate understanding of the pathogenesis and natural history of rheumatic diseases in this community.
Patients are evaluated by considering their medical history and a physical examination. Routine laboratory studies are obtained as needed to assess diagnosis, disease activity, disease complications, and to monitor for treatment-related responses and toxicities.
Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section
The Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section studies the signaling pathways such as Hedgehog signaling that regulate the development and maintenance of normal skin, and the changes in these signals that occur during the formation of skin cancer. Our investigations include studying the specification and maintenance of cell lineages in the skin, as well as studying the regulation of stem cells in the skin, and using mouse genetics to model carcinogenesis in the skin.
Cutaneous Leukocyte Biology Section
Led by Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, the section investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate immunological and structural homeostasis in the skin.
Cutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation Section
Led by Heidi Kong, the section uses genomics to study the skin microbes in healthy individuals and patients with skin diseases and to expand our understanding of host-microbe interactions.
Dermatology Branch
The Dermatology Branch conducts both clinical and basic research studying the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory and malignant diseases involving the skin and the host's response to these diseases.
Dermatology Consultation Service
The Dermatology Consultation Service at the NIH Clinical Center evaluates patients with a variety of rare diseases with cutaneous manifestations. In addition, patients who experience adverse reactions to experimental therapeutic agents or manifest unrelated skin conditions while at the NIH are evaluated and treated. Dermatology Branch clinical fellows, fellows from other NIH Institutes, and visiting dermatology residents from around the country receive training on the Dermatology consult service.Flow Cytometry Section
The Flow Cytometry Section provides state-of-the-art multi-parameter cellular analysis and cell sorting for NIAMS researchers and investigators.Genomic Technology Section
The mission of the Genomic Technology Section is to help NIAMS investigators solve highly diverse biological and biomedical research questions by providing a diverse portfolio of sequencing services as well as consultation and training for researchers with specific needs or challenging problems. The core is a state-of-the-art laboratory facility equipped with the latest DNA sequencing and library preparation technologies.
Juvenile Arthritis Pathogenesis Unit
Led by Dr. Keith Sikora, the unit studies juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis, which often develops into AS, a form of inflammatory arthritis.Laboratory Animal Care and Use Section
LACU provides animal care services to support NIAMS Intramural Research Program Branches and Laboratories that use animals in their research studies.
Laboratory of Molecular Immunogenetics
Led by Dr. Rafael Casellas, the lab investigates immune cell processes, and how they impact autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.
Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation
Led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli, the lab studies mechanisms that regulate specification, differentiation, and regeneration of skeletal muscle cells.
Laboratory of Oral Connective Tissue Biology
Dr. Martha Somerman is chief of the Laboratory of Oral Connective Tissue Biology. Dr. Somerman’s research has focused on defining the key regulators controlling development, maintenance and regeneration of dental-oral-craniofacial tissues.
Laboratory of Skin Biology
Led by Dr. Maria I. Morasso, the lab studies processes of epidermal differentiation, skin barrier formation and wound healing.
Laboratory of Structural Biology Research
The lab studies viruses, cytoskeletal filaments, and energy-dependent proteases to explain macromolecular complexes.Light Imaging Section
The NIAMS Light Imaging Section provides scientists light imaging tools, and training on analysis of images with techniques of light microscopy.
Lupus Clinical Trials Unit
Led by Dr. Sarfaraz Hasni, the unit studies the natural history and pathogenesis of lupus and involved in designing and conducting early phase clinical trials.
Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch
Led by Dr. John O’Shea, the branch investigates how T cells play a role in both immune defense and development of immune-mediated diseases.
Muscle Disease Unit
Led by Dr. Andrew Mammen, the unit researches human muscle diseases, as well the basic biology of skeletal muscle regeneration.
Muscle Energetics Laboratory
The focus of Dr. Glancy’s muscle energetics research program is to determine how mitochondria are optimized within muscle cells to help maintain energy homeostasis during the large change in energy demand caused by muscle contraction.
Office of Science and Technology
The Office of Science and Technology (OST) is responsible for NIAMS Labs core facilities. It provides and develops new technologies, advises the Scientific Director, Lab and Branch Chiefs, and other key officials on science and technology. OST initiates collaborative, cooperative and service activities that facilitate the conduct of science and coordinates the core technological facilities of the Intramural Research Program.
Pediatric Translational Research Branch
Led by Dr. Robert Colbert, the branch studies Spondyloarthritis, particularly early-onset Ankylosing Spondylitis and spinal development in children.
Protein Expression Laboratory
Led by Paul Wingfield, the lab supports NIH research projects by analyzing and providing HIV proteins to their researchers and scientists.
Rheumatology Training Program
The Rheumatology Training Program strives to train the next generation of leaders and pathfinders in Rheumatology research.
RNA Molecular Biology Group
Led by Dr. Markus Hafner, the group studies the makeup of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) involved in cellular RNA transport and control of RNA stability.
Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit
Led by Dr. Pravitt Gourh, the unit is focused on enhancing our understanding of the genetic risk factors involved in scleroderma pathogenesis.
Systemic Autoimmunity Branch
Led by Dr. Mariana Kaplan, the branch studies autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, seeking treatments and improved outcomes.
Translational Genetics and Genomics Unit
Led by Dr. Michael Ombrello, the unit uses genomic approaches to understand the underlying factors of autoinflammatory and rheumatic diseases.
Translational Immunology Section
TIS provides NIAMS researchers cutting-edge immune monitoring technology as they strive to develop accurate and reproducible immune monitoring assays.