Basic Research in Inflammation

The overall concept of the CCID is to better understand the mechanisms involved in the activation, recruitment, progression, and function of inflammatory cells and mediators; in order to better design therapeutics and treatments targeted toward prevention and exacerbation of chronic inflammatory disorders. The CCID supports and fosters research, training, and education in the areas of cell biology, immunology, virology, pharmacology, molecular genetics, and targeted gene therapy. The CCID will also function to link investigators and discovery in the basic science laboratories with demonstration research through the Clinical Research Program at the School of Dentistry, as well as at the several specialty clinics within the Medical Schools of UNC and Duke University.

The major investigative discovery areas of the CCID in basic science will focus around cell motility and adhesion, Genetic regulation of inflammation, and the relationship between inflammation, pain, and stress.