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The INIP is designed to foster interdisciplinary research in the field of neural-immune interactions, the biological basis of the so-called "Mind-Body" interaction. The Program’s structure facilitates inter-institute, inter-agency, university, and private sector partnering to further its interdisciplinary goals. Subject areas include a broad range of research topics from the study of molecular, cellular and neuroanatomical mechanisms of neural immune interactions to systems level analysis of communications between the central nervous, endocrine and immune systems. This research has relevance to the role of the immune system in neuronal cell death and repair, neuronal development and plasticity, and the role of the nervous and neuroendocrine systems in susceptibility and resistance to autoimmune/inflammatory and allergic diseases. Basic research in this area has important clinical implications for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, neuro-AIDS, stroke and nerve trauma. This research will enhance our understanding of the relationship between depression and immune diseases, and the effects of stress on immune-mediated diseases, such as arthritis, allergic and infectious diseases.
The Program seeks to bring cohesiveness across this spectrum of integrative themes through a comprehensive set of offerings which includes: formal training in integrative research through dedicated shared integrative neural-immune post doctoral IRTA positions in the laboratories of partnering Institutes; emphasis on scientific communications and interactions between participating labs, through an on campus Neural Immune Lecture Series; and conferences and workshops designed to bring focus to cutting edge topics in this field.
This overall structure consistent with the multi-disciplinary research team concept, will allow researchers to more effectively address cutting edge multi-disciplinary research questions, while consolidating investments in permanent staff, highly specialized methodologies, physical space and equipment.
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