Research

The CCID performs research on the underlying mechanisms of inflammation and on the relationship between inflammation and systemic medical conditions. The major investigative discovery areas of the CCID in basic science will focus around the Motility, Genetic Regulation and Behavioral programs. The CCID also includes a Clinical Program, a Population Program, and a Community Outreach Program.

• The Cell Motility and Inflammation Program will study mechanisms of signaling during integrin-mediated adhesion, and to examine the role of integrins in cell remodeling and migration in response to inflammatory-mediated tissue injury.

• Genetic Regulation of Inflammation Program will identify the role of gene expression in various chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and use targeted gene therapy aimed at regulating the expression of relevant mediators by inflammatory cells during inflammation.

• The Behavioral Sciences Program is designed to investigate the relationship between peripheral cytokines on neurological function in patient groups with a variety of inflammatory disorders.

• The Clinical Program is designed to foster the efficient and expeditious application of laboratory discoveries to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases in human populations. This program is tied closely to the Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases at the UNC School of Dentistry, and has a number of patient-based projects investigating the role of oral inflammation in systemic medical conditions.

• The Population and Statistics Program conducts population-based research projects that are designed to determine the relationship of oral inflammation with systemic medical conditions, and to identify risk factors for inflammation that may contribute to systemic medical conditions.

• The Community Outreach Program serves to create linkages to communities in order to build research partnerships that facilitate community-based research projects on inflammatory disorders. It also develops Community Advisory Boards that undertake outreach activities associated with CCID projects.