Inflammation Biology
Inflammation is a protective response including infection and injury as well as other causes of loss of tissue homeostasis. Although primarily orchestrated by the immune system, the inflammatory response can affect virtually any physiological process, from cardiovascular and digestive functions to growth, reproduction and behavior. However, because inflammation operates at the expense of some normal physiological processes, it can also be a source of a variety of pathological sequela. Indeed, most human diseases are now known to be associated with inflammation. Research in our Department addresses multiple aspects of inflammation biology, ranging from detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the response, to human diseases.