The Division of Rheumatology is committed to improving the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases through diverse, multidisciplinary research programs of the utmost quality. Our cutting-edge programs include clinical, epidemiological, and basic bench research and outcomes investigation.
Research areas include:
- Autoimmunity
- B cell tolerance
- Epidemiology and Outcome of SLE and other rheumatic diseases
- Igg4 Related Disease
- Vasculitis
- Innate Immunity and Inflammation
- Innate B cells
- B cell and T cell adaptive immunity
- Plasma Cell Biology
- Cancer Immunotherapy
- Human Immune Profiling
- Disease heterogeneity and Precision Medicine
Lowance Center for Human Immunology
The Lowance Center is an initiative of the Department of Medicine to cut across traditional academic divisions in medicine and to translate new knowledge in basic immunology to human immune-mediated diseases.
Clinical Research
Grady Memorial Hospital serves as the primary hub for clinical research activities within the Division of Rheumatology. Clinical research is also conducted at Emory University Hospital, and the Atlanta VA Medical Center. Our current clinical research emphasizes studies in lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, and IgG4-related diseases (IgG4-RD). View current Emory Rheumatology clinical trials.
Basic Science Research
Basic science aimed at gaining an understanding of the fundamental processes underlying autoimmunity and inflammation is an integral part of the activities within the division. Fundamental bench research is conducted through the Lowance Center for Human Immunology at Emory University.
Pediatric Research
The Division of Rheumatology collaborates actively with our colleagues in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Children's Health Care of Atlanta, and Children's Physician Group to investigate the unique features of rheumatic diseases in children.
Rheumatology Research Partners
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has created the Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence (ACEs) to encourage and enable collaborative research – across scientific disciplines, across medical specialties, and between basic and clinical scientists – in the search for effective treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Research Funding
Our research projects are funded by various federal and nonfederal institutions.
Clinical Trials
Despite significant improvements in therapeutic options in the past few decades, rheumatic diseases remain serious and debilitating diseases. Patients continue to have active disease that affects their lives and adequate therapy to control some rheumatic diseases still remains a challenge. Clinical trials evaluate the benefits and harms of medical treatments with the goal of establishing an evidence-based approach to safer and more effective treatment for patients. At Emory, we offer our patients the opportunity to participate in multiple clinical trials in different rheumatic conditions.