Steps Towards Developing a Cure for Autoimmunity

Research into the molecular and cellular underpinnings of autoimmunity advances our understanding of immune functions and the role inflammation plays in mediating many of the symptoms of the multitude of autoimmune diseases. This knowledge serves as the foundation for identifying potential targets for treatment and developing novel therapies to prevent, modulate, and ultimately cure autoimmune diseases. The Science Advisory Board, in conjunction with BioInformatics, LLC (Arlington, Va), has interviewed hundreds of immunologists regarding the nature of their research and the scientific challenges they face in autoimmune disease research. Highlights from this benchmarking study are presented below in the context of promising research opportunities.