NIAID Division of Intramural Research (DIR) Laboratories
An alphabetical list of DIR laboratories with a brief research description follows. Scientists in these laboratories conduct peer-reviewed research in the areas described. These major laboratories comprise two or more smaller labs (sections or units) headed by tenured or tenure-track principal investigators (PIs). DIR PIs are listed under Key Contacts.
Laboratory of Allergic Diseases (LAD) investigates disorders of immediate hypersensitivity, including classic allergic diseases. Basic research includes studies of mast cell and eosinophil biology and signaling pathways in inflammation. Clinical projects investigate the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation and the role of various cells and cytokines in this process. Research findings are translated into improved treatments for asthma, mast cell diseases, and other disorders.
Dean D. Metcalfe, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Bacterial Diseases (LBD)
Laboratory of Bacterial Diseases (LBD) studies bacterial diseases related to biodefense pathogens. Research focuses on identification and analysis of bacterial virulence factors and their genetic regulation; structure-function analysis of bacterial proteins and other factors; disease pathogenesis; and development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.
Stephen H. Leppla, Ph.D., Acting Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (LCMI) studies the development, activation, tolerance, memory, differentiation, and death of thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes. Projects include studies of lineage commitment in the thymus, the role of danger and costimulatory signals in initiating an immune response, the molecular basis of costimulation, T-cell anergy, and in vivo models of CD4+ T-cell tolerance.
Ronald H. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases (LCID) conducts clinical and basic studies of important mycobacterial, bacterial, viral, and fungal infections and of immune disorders associated with infection susceptibility and resistance. LCID’s patient-oriented approach promotes a comprehensive understanding of the natural history, pathogenesis, and management of diseases. Training of physicians and scientists is central to LCID’s mission.
Steven M. Holland, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Host Defenses (LHD) studies host defense against infection, the genetics and pathophysiology of disease in patients with inherited immune abnormalities, and mucosal immunity and inflammatory bowel diseases. Clinical investigations aim to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including gene and cytokine therapies, to manage or correct immune dysfunction or recurrent infections in patients.
Harry L. Malech, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis (LHBP) investigates the molecular basis of interactions between bacterial pathogens and the host, with special attention to organisms that cause important human infections, such as the Gram positive streptococci and staphylococci. The role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in host defense and the contribution of biofilms to the pathogenesis of S. epidermidis are major areas of study.
Frank DeLeo, Ph.D., Acting Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Immunogenetics (LIG) research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling functions of immune cell receptors. Research encompasses a wide spectrum of experimental approaches, from the structural determination of immune receptors to the live cell image analysis of the behavior of chemotactic receptors. Development of new chemotherapies for tuberculosis is also a major area of study.
Susan K. Pierce, Ph.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Immunology (LI) investigates the basic genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, and cellular immunology of the immune system. Current investigations include autoimmune disease pathogenesis, vaccine strategies, lymphocyte development, T- and B-cell receptor gene rearrangement, MHC molecule structure and function, antigen processing, T-cell and cytokine receptor signaling, apoptotic cell death, and regulation and activity of cytokines.
William E. Paul, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Immunopathology (LIP) studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in normal immune cell development and differentiation as well as neoplastic transformation. Major programs include investigations of mouse models for chronic myelogenous leukemia and B-cell lineage lymphomas. Normal and pathologic functioning of the BORIS-CTCF gene family, which is involved in the epigenetics of normal biology and cancer, are investigated.
Herbert C. Morse III, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Immunoregulation (LIR) studies the regulation of the human immune system in health and disease, with emphasis on the immunopathogenic mechanisms of HIV infection and disease progression. Research includes studies of cytokines and chemokines in HIV replication, the latent reservoir of HIV-infected cells in AIDS and its implications for antiretroviral therapy, and immunologic approaches to the treatment of HIV infection.
Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Infectious Diseases (LID) focuses on viral vaccine development, host immune response to viruses, and viral molecular biology and genetics. Major long-term programs are dedicated to understanding and preventing viral hepatitis, severe childhood respiratory diseases, and viral gastroenteritis. Newer programs focus on developing vaccines for pandemic influenza, West Nile virus, human metapneumovirus, and SARS-CoV—from basic research to clinical trials.
Brian R. Murphy, M.D., Laboratory Co-Chief
Robert H. Purcell, M.D., Laboratory Co-Chief
Laboratory of Intracellular Parasites (LICP) investigates the biology, pathogenesis, and immunity of intracellular pathogens such as chlamydia, salmonella, and the etiologic agents of tularemia and Q fever. The agents studied are important causes of disease and blindness and/or potential bioterrorism agents. The long-term goal of the LICP is the development of improved strategies to prevent and control intracellular bacterial parasitic infections.
Harlan D. Caldwell, Ph.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR) studies disease-transmitting insects and broad areas of malaria biology and pathogenesis at locations on the NIH campus and overseas. Basic discoveries support the development of new drug treatments, diagnostic tools, and vaccines. The LMVR environment is highly collaborative and is organized to foster research teamwork by experts in various disciplines of the biological, physical, and medical sciences.
Thomas E. Wellems, M.D., Ph.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology (LMI) studies immune system function in health and disease with special interest in delineating mechanisms controlling specific leukocyte movement. Other research areas include G protein-coupled receptors of the immune system; mimics of chemotactic factors and their receptors in infectious agents; gut mucosal immunity; basic properties of dendritic cells; and molecular pathogenesis of complex infectious and immunologic diseases.
Philip M. Murphy, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology (LMM) conducts research on primate (HIV, SIV, HTLV) and murine retroviruses, with emphasis on HIV. Investigations focus on viral gene regulation, protein structure and function, and particle assembly; development of animal models for pathogenesis studies and development of vaccines and therapeutics; and studies of endogenous retroviral-related sequences present in mammalian genomes.
Malcolm A. Martin, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases (LPD) conducts basic and clinical studies to prevent, control, and treat diseases caused by parasitic protozoa (leishmania, toxoplasma, giardia, plasmodia, trypanosomes, cryptosporidia, entamoeba) and helminths (filariae, Schistosoma, Strongyloides, Taenia). Research includes basic aspects of host-pathogen interaction in humans, animal models, and invertebrate vectors of important parasites.
Alan Sher, Ph.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Persistent Viral Disease (LPVD) studies the role of persistent infection in the development of immunosuppression and neurological disease. Models being examined include human, murine, and equine retroviruses; rabies virus; Aleutian disease virus of mink; and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs or prion diseases) such as scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease), and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Bruce W. Chesebro, M.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Viral Diseases (LVD) studies the basic mechanisms of viral entry into cells, regulation of viral gene expression, viral DNA replication, assembly and transport of viral proteins and particles, viral virulence, and humoral and cellular immunity. Applied research includes development of recombinant expression vectors, candidate vaccines, and antiviral agents. DNA and RNA viruses are studied, including HIV, poxviruses, papillomaviruses, and influenza.
Bernard Moss, M.D., Ph.D., Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Virology (LV)
Laboratory of Virology (LV) is being organized at DIR’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. LV will study high-containment (BSL-3 and BSL-4) viral pathogens to understand transmission, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and host immune reponses, with the goal of developing diagnostics and countermeasures.
Heinz Feldmann, M.D., Ph.D. Laboratory Chief
Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens (LZP) investigates the molecular-level interaction between pathogens, including borrelia and yersinia, and their arthropod vectors. Research includes studies of differential gene regulation during transmission cycles in vertebrate hosts and arthropod vectors; search for antigens to improve serological tests for the laboratory confirmation of zoonotic pathogens; and investigations of tick and flea biology.
Tom G. Schwan, Ph.D., Laboratory Chief
Research is also conducted in the following DIR components:
Malaria Vaccine Development Branch (MVDB) develops recombinant malaria parasite proteins as antigens for use in candidate vaccines. The MVDB has facilities for protein expression in a variety of recombinant systems and for subsequent purification and analysis. MVDB works with collaborators and contractors to determine optimal formulations of antigens and adjuvants in rhesus monkeys, determine correlates of protective immunity, and execute clinical trials.
Louis Miller, M.D., Chief
Cytokine Biology Section (CBS) studies the structure of the members of the human interferon (IFN)-alpha family to understand how they elicit their biological (antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory) activities. CBS also studies the effects of up- and down-regulation of specific proteins in a variety of signal transduction pathways following IFN treatment and the antiviral properties of human IFN-alpha constructs.
Kathryn C. Zoon, Ph.D., Section Chief
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