In addition, the immune system is a highly inter-dependent, developmentally regulated organ system that can be studied as an important model system in genetics, physiology, and cellular biochemistry. Other members study the immune response to tumor cells, with an emphasis on the induction and regulation of both Natural Killer cells and T lymphocytes directed at tumor antigens. These studies employ and extend the most current knowledge in areas such as antigen presentation, lymphocyte specificity and activation, cytokine action, and in vivo vaccination strategies to develop safe and effective treatments of cancer by strengthening the immune response to tumor cells. The study of infectious diseases and pathogenic microorganisms necessarily involves study of the immune system. It is not possible to truly understand microbial pathogenesis without addressing the interaction of the microbe with the host immune system.
Infectious diseases occur when an organism evades the immune responses meant to contain it.
The Program members study viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Program members involved in the study of the immunology of infectious diseases focus on evasion of immune responses by the pathogen, and the mechanisms by which immunity to the organism can be enhanced, such as immunotherapy or vaccines. In addition, the program members use the interaction of pathogens with the host to conduct basic studies of immune processes necessary to control infections, such as cytokine production by T cells, complement activation and macrophage activation. Insights gained from members' studies of transplant immunology also directly contribute to the research of other Program members who focus on the immunology of autoimmunity. Program members are therefore investigating how these deliterious immune responses can be down-regulated, using many of the same strategies and experimental techniques as the transplant immunologists.