As I settle into my new role as director of NIAMS, I have the honor of leading the Institute on its 35th anniversary.

New research published in the journal Science Translational Medicine uncovers how neutrophils contribute to disease pathophysiology of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which are life-threatening mucocutaneous adverse drug reactions.

Known as the “disease with a thousand faces,” systemic lupus erythematosus is a lifelong autoimmune disease with a wide range of symptoms and signs—fatigue, fever, joint pain, facial rash and skin lesions, shortness of breath, and more. It may develop suddenly or slowly and be mild or severe, with people affected going through periods of flare up and remission of their symptoms.

A research team led by Dr. Makarand Risbud of Thomas Jefferson University tested whether treatment with the drugs dasatinib and quercetin would prevent disc degeneration in mice. Both drugs are senolytics, which selectively remove aged cells known as senescent cells.

Wounds in the mouth heal faster than in skin — and without scarring. Could unravelling the mechanisms that drive regeneration in the oral cavity lead to better wound therapies?

To improve understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms of inflammation resolution and of how dysregulated resolution may lead to chronic inflammation, the NIAMS held a roundtable on emerging opportunities in research on resolution of inflammation.

Researchers have identified a potential treatment to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic autoimmune disease.

This past summer the NIAMS Career Development and Outreach Branch (CDOB) welcomed 15 students from across the country and Puerto Rico to participate in the inaugural NIAMS Intramural Virtual Training Research Opportunities (InVTRO) program.