Translational Medicine and Bioengineering

Immunology and Infectiuos Disease

Clinical immunology is the study of diseases caused by disorders of the immune system (failure, aberrant action, and malignant growth of the cellular elements of the system). It also involves diseases of other systems, where immune reactions play a part in the pathology and clinical features. Many components of the immune system are actually cellular in nature and not associated with any specific organ but rather are embedded or circulating in various tissues located throughout the body. Immunotherapy is a new class of cancer treatment that works to harness the innate powers of the immune system to fight cancer. Because of the immune system's unique properties, these therapies may hold greater potential than current treatment approaches to fight cancer more powerfully, to offer longer-term protection against the disease, to come with fewer side effects, and to benefit more patients with more cancer types.

Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer's disease results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. In Parkinson’s disease, cells that produce dopamine start to die. Dopamine is a chemical that helps you move normally. There is no known direct cause of Parkinson’s. One theory is that it may be hereditary. Other theories say exposure to pesticides and living in rural communities may cause it. he Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has infected approximately 1.5 million people in the United States. Type 1 translation research (basic research, methods development, and efficacy trials) has yielded multiple efficacious behavioral HIV prevention programs. Type 2 translation research (dissemination and effectiveness studies) has been less prevalent or successful.