# Training in the Molecular Basis of Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2020 · $138,139

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The past 15 years has seen a paradigm shift in our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying
autoimmune diseases with a greater understanding of the interplay between innate and adaptive immune
system components, the mechanisms that lead to innate and adaptive immune mediated tissue destruction,
the relevance of animal models to human disease, and the factors needed to generate functional transplant
tissue. To capitalize on all of these insights and develop novel therapeutic strategies that block autoreactive
responses and also permit the repair and/or replacement of damaged organs, will require a next generation of
scientists with a broad understanding of basic immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, systems biology
and informatics. The proposed Training in the Molecular Basis of Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation will train
predoctoral investigators in these important areas by bringing together highly skilled and collaborative mentors
from multiple disciplines, with the ultimate goal of developing new therapies for these debilitating diseases. We
have also learned that an array of susceptibility genes are shared among autoimmune diseases, indicative of
common pathways. A better understanding of how these susceptibility genes promote the loss of tolerance and
hyperreactivity will also be key to effective treatments for autoimmune diseases. To train investigators to meet
these challenges of scientific inquiry, our training environments must embrace cross-disciplinary themes and
provide both state-of-the-art research opportunities in this area, and also provide training in other aspects of
career development. Therefore, the specific goals of this program will be to: (1) provide talented PhD
candidates with conceptual and technological skills to tackle meaningful, clinically relevant topics in the area of
autoimmunity; (2) facilitate communication and collaborative interactions amongst trainees and training faculty;
(3) provide opportunities for the translation of research discoveries to the clinics; (4) establish mechanisms for
recruiting increased numbers underrepresented minorities to postdoctoral positions at this institution; (5)
provide trainees with strong oral presentation, manuscript writing, grant writing, networking, and other essential
career development skills; and (6) provide trainees with opportunities to participate in local, national, and
international meetings where they can share their own research findings. The program is highly cross-
disciplinary, incorporating 18 accomplished investigators as mentors who represent a broad spectrum of
research expertise and technologies that are being applied to the study of autoimmune/autoinflammatory
conditions. The training faculty includes MD and MD-PhD scientists engaged in basic and translational,
disease-oriented research. Faculty members are already involved in highly productive collaborations and have
extensive experience in predoctoral training. The program co-d...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9962281
- **Project number:** 5T32AI132152-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $138,139
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9962281

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9962281, Training in the Molecular Basis of Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation (5T32AI132152-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9962281. Licensed CC0.

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