The Service admits about 100 patients per year and consults on about 300. Fellows cover research patients admitted to the Clinical Research Center and patients receiving I.V. immune globulin at the Center for Ambulatory Treatment. Fellows are trained in techniques of skin testing, allergen immunotherapy, drug desensitization and joint aspiration. Fellows preparing for allergy certification rotate through the adult allergy clinic at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Fellows rotate through the Clinical Immunology Lab to obtain some familiarity with the performance and analysis of flow cytometry and lymphocyte function assays.
Fellows participate in clinical studies often leading to publication or meeting presentation.
Second and third years doing mentored research in a basic science laboratory Goal is to give trainees an intensive laboratory research experience and to instill the intellectual and technical skills necessary for an independent research career. First year fellows meet with faculty and attend research conferences in preparation for seleciton of a research project and mentor. Once in the lab, fellows will be closely supervised in weekly small group lab meetings, the core forum for research presentation and planning. Experimental design, techniques and data presentation are subjected to intensive scrutiny. Fellows acquire specific skills in cellular, biochemical and molecular genetic techniques.