Primary interests of SRI Biosciences’ Center for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases include the roles of cells and soluble factors that regulate innate immunity and the transition to adaptive immune responses. Research areas include understanding cellular mechanisms of the primary immune response, and control of T helper subset development and function during inflammatory conditions and in response to pathogens or autoimmunity.

The Center also offers a drug development program to identify small-molecule and protein inhibitors against signaling molecules that are important in regulating inflammation.

A variety of services for biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients include

• Cell-based and ELISA-based assays to support Investigational New Drug (IND)-directed Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) studies
• Phase I and II clinical studies
• Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) manufacturing of biologics and cell-based therapeutics

The Center for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases also houses Combinatorial Sciences, a technology-driven group with in-depth expertise in peptide chemistry, proteomics, and nanotechnology. Combinatorial Sciences is centered on applying tools in analytical and organic chemistry to the development of therapeutics and diagnostics for many complex diseases. Specific programs include

• Novel peptidomimetic templates for drug discovery
• Proteomics-based biomarker discovery
• Liposome-based drug and vaccine delivery