The NIH Almanac
National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases
MissionThe National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) conducts and supports research to study the causes of allergic, immunologic, and infectious diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing, and treating these illnesses. Following is a brief description of the major areas of investigation.
Important Events in NIAID History1948—The National Microbiological Institute was established November 1. The Rocky Mountain Laboratory and the Biologics Control Laboratory, both dating to 1902, were incorporated into the new institute, together with the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Division of Tropical Diseases of NIH. 1951—An institute-supported grants program was initiated, and a branch was established to administer research, training, and fellowship grants. Grant applications were reviewed by the National Advisory Health Council until 1956. 1953—The Clinical Research Branch was renamed the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation. 1955—The National Microbiological Institute became the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on December 29. The Biologics Control Laboratory was detached from the institute and expanded to division status within NIH. 1956—The first meeting of the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council was held March 7-8. 1957—The Laboratory of Immunology was established in January to meet the growing need for research on the mechanisms of allergy and immunology. The Middle America Research Unit was established in the Canal Zone jointly by NIAID and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research as a temporary field station, made permanent in 1961. Important tropical diseases studies were done there for 15 years. NIAID transferred its part of the program to the Gorgas Memorial Institute in 1972. 1959—The Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases was established, formerly a part of the Division of Tropical Diseases. 1962—A collaborative research program funded mainly by contracts was established within the institute to plan, coordinate, and direct nationwide projects on infectious diseases, vaccine development, transplantation immunology, research reagents, and antiviral substances. 1967—The Laboratory of Viral Diseases was established. 1968—With the dissolution of NIH's Office of International Research (OIR) and creation of the Fogarty International Center on July 1, 1968, programs formerly managed by OIR were transferred to NIAID to be administered by the Geographic Medicine Branch. These included the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Medical Science Program—initiated in 1965 by the President and the Japanese Prime Minister to explore the health problems of Asia—and the International Centers for Medical Research and Training, a 1960 congressional initiative to advance the status of U.S. health sciences through international research. 1971—The first 7 Allergic Disease Centers were established to translate basic concepts of the biomedical sciences into clinical investigations. 1974—The first centers for the study of sexually transmitted diseases and of influenza were established. 1977—The NIAID Extramural Research Program was reorganized into 3 areas: Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; Immunology, Allergic and Immunologic Diseases; and Extramural Activities. An intramural Laboratory of Immunogenetics was formed. 1978—The first maximum containment facility (P4) for recombinant DNA research was opened in Frederick, Md. International program project grants and international exploratory/development research grants programs were established. Centers were created for interdisciplinary research on immunologic diseases. 1979—The Office of Recombinant DNA Activities was transferred from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to NIAID. The International Collaboration in Infectious Diseases Research Program superseded the International Centers for Medical Research and Training established in 1960. The Rocky Mountain Laboratory was reorganized into the Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, to deal with both host and viral mechanisms leading to slow or persistent viral infections; the Laboratory of Microbial Structure and Function, directed at bacterial diseases, particularly sexually transmitted diseases; and an Epidemiology Branch. 1980—The Laboratory of Immunoregulation was established to provide a means for applying new knowledge in immunology to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with immunological disorders. 1981—The Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology was created to exploit new techniques in recombinant DNA methodology and other molecular studies to expand the institute's interests in both bacterial and viral pathogenesis and virulence. 1984—The Office of Tropical Medicine and International Research (OTMIR) was established to coordinate NIAID's intramural and extramural research activities in tropical medicine and other international research. OTMIR works with other Federal agencies and international organizations active in these areas. 1985—The Laboratory of Immunopathology was established. At Rocky Mountain Laboratories, the Epidemiology Branch was renamed the Laboratory of Pathology. 1986—An Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Program was established in January to coordinate the institute's extramural research efforts in HIV/AIDS. 1987—The Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology was established. 1988—The Immunology, Allergic and Immunologic Diseases Program was reorganized and renamed the Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation Program. The Office of Recombinant DNA Activities transferred from NIAID to the NIH Office of the Director. 1989—NIAID's programs became divisions: Intramural Research; Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; and Extramural Activities. 1990—At Rocky Mountain Laboratories, a section of the Laboratory of Microbial Structure and Function became the Laboratory of Intracellular Parasites. The name of the Laboratory of Pathobiology was changed to the Laboratory of Vectors and Pathogens. 1991—The Laboratory of Host Defenses was established. 1994—The Laboratory of Allergic Diseases was established. The Office of Research on Minority and Women's Health was created. At Rocky Mountain Laboratories, the Laboratory of Vectors and Pathogens was renamed the Microscopy Branch. 1999—The Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center was launched—a research program jointly funded by NIAID, NCI, and the NIH Office of AIDS Research. 2000—The Children's Health Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-310) codified the NIH Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee in law. ADCC is chaired by NIAID. 2001—Malaria Vaccine Development Unit was dedicated. 2002—Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases was reorganized; Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research was established. The Office of Biodefense Research Affairs was established within the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) to coordinate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of DMID-wide biodefense research. NIAID awarded its first Partnership grants to support collaboration between private industry, academia, and government to accomplish critical infectious disease and biodefense research goals. 2003—NIAID established an intellectual and physical infrastructure for biodefense research through awards to support National and Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (NBLs and RBLs) and Regional Centers of Excellence (RCEs) for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2004—The Laboratory of Molecular Immunology was established. 2005—The Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens was established. The Laboratory of Bacterial Diseases was established. NIAID made its first awards using authorities granted under Project Bioshield legislation to support development of new therapeutics and vaccines against some of the most deadly agents of bioterrorism including anthrax, botulinum toxin, Ebola virus, pneumonic plague, smallpox, and tularemia. 2006—The Division of Clinical Research was established. The Laboratory of Virology was established. The C.W. Bill Young Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (Building 33) was launched to carry out NIAID's mission in emerging infectious disease research, including the development of medical countermeasures for biodefense. NIAID Legislative ChronologyNovember 1, 1948—The National Microbiological Institute was established under authority of section 202 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as implemented by General Circular No. 55, Organization Order No. 20, dated October 8, 1948. December 29, 1955—NIAID was established (replacing the National Microbiological Institute) under authority of the Omnibus Medical Research Act (P.L. 81-692, 64 Stat. L. 443) as implemented by PHS Briefing Memorandum of November 4, 1955, from the Surgeon General to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. November 4, 1988—NIAID was provided with additional authorities under title II of the Health Omnibus Programs Extension Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-607), the first major law to address AIDS research, information, education, and prevention. August 14, 1991—The PHS act (P.L. 102-96), the "Terry Beirn Community Based AIDS Research Initiative Act of 1991" reauthorized NIAID's Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA) for another 5 years. June 10, 1993—The PHS act was amended by P.L. 103-43, the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1993. This comprehensive legislation required NIAID to include research on tropical diseases in its mission statement and directed the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that individuals with expertise in chronic fatigue syndrome or neuromuscular diseases are appointed to appropriate NIH advisory committees. December 14, 1993—The Preventive Health Amendments of 1993 were passed, which included provisions requiring the Director of NIAID to conduct or support research and research training regarding the cause, early detection, prevention, and treatment of tuberculosis. (The institute already had authority to conduct such research under its authorities in Title IV, PHS act.) October 7, 1998—Rep. Anne Northup (Ky.), on behalf of herself and Rep. Bill Young (Fla.), introduced H.C.R. 335, a resolution recognizing NIAID's 50th anniversary. On October 9, Sen. Richard Durbin (Ill.), on behalf of himself and Sen. Connie Mack (Fla.), introduced a companion measure, S.C.R. 127. Both pieces of legislation were submitted to "demonstrate the support of the U.S. Congress for the NIAID, the NIH and all of the dedicated professionals who have devoted their lives to improving the quality of the Nation's health." October 17, 2000—The Children's Health Act (P.L. 106-310) required the Directors of NIAID and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to expand and intensify the activities of their Institutes with respect to research and related activities concerning juvenile arthritis and related conditions. November 13, 2000—The Public Health Improvement Act (P.L. 106-505) authorized the NIAID Director to establish a program of clinical research and training awards for sexually transmitted diseases. July 21, 2004—The Project BioShield Act (P.L. 108-276) authorized the NIAID Director to provide grants for the modernization and construction of biomedical and behavioral research facilities and increased the Federal share of such NIAID-funded projects. The law also authorized the HHS Secretary to employ other procedures to respond to pressing needs in the research and development of countermeasures against biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear threats, including expediting peer review procedures in certain instances, contracting with experts or consultants, and appointing professional and technical employees to positions at NIH. Biographical Sketch of NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., became the Director of NIAID in 1984. He received his undergraduate degree from Holy Cross College in 1962 and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in 1966. He completed his internship and residency at The New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center and joined NIAID in 1968 as a clinical associate in the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation. In 1980, Dr. Fauci became Chief of the Laboratory of Immunoregulation, a post he continues to hold. Dr. Fauci serves as one of the key advisors to the White House and Department of Health and Human Services on global AIDS issues, and on initiatives to bolster medical and public health preparedness against emerging infectious disease threats such as pandemic influenza. Dr. Fauci has made many contributions to basic and clinical research on the pathogenesis and treatment of immune-mediated and infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. In 2003, an Institute for Scientific Information study indicated that in the 20-year period from 1983 to 2002, Dr. Fauci was the 13th most-cited scientist among the 2.5 to 3 million authors in all disciplines throughout the world who published articles in scientific journals during that time frame. Dr. Fauci was the world’s 10th most-cited HIV/AIDS researcher in the period 1996 to 2006. Dr. Fauci has received 31 honorary doctorate degrees from universities in the United States and abroad, as well as the National Medal of Science, the Mary Woodard Lasker Award for Public Service, and other major awards. A member of the National Academy of Sciences and many other professional organizations, Dr. Fauci is the author, coauthor, or editor of more than 1,100 scientific publications, including several textbooks. Directors of NIAID
Research ProgramsNIAID is composed of 7 research divisions: the Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation; the Division of Clinical Research; the Division of Extramural Activities; the Division of Intramural Research; the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; and the Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center. NIAID scientists conduct intramural research in laboratories located in Bethesda, Rockville, and Frederick, Maryland, and in Hamilton, Montana. More information on NIAID programs, committees, and initiatives can be found on NIAID's web site at www.niaid.nih.gov. Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome The Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (DAIDS) was formed in 1986 to develop and implement the national research agenda to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Today, with the ever-changing demographics of the epidemic, DAIDS is expanding its focus to a more global research agenda with an emphasis on an integrated prevention and therapeutics agenda. The mission of DAIDS is to help ensure an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. DAIDS accomplishes its mission through planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating programs in (1) fundamental basic research; (2) discovery, development, and optimization of therapies and treatment strategies for HIV infection and its complications and co-infections; and (3) discovery and development of preventive vaccines, topical microbicides, and other biomedical prevention strategies. Carl W. Diffenbach, Ph.D. Director. Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation The Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation (DAIT) promotes and supports a broad range of research that seeks to further our understanding of the immune mechanisms underlying immune-mediated diseases and translating this basic knowledge to clinical applications that will benefit individuals affected by these diseases. DAIT supports preclinical and clinical development of new tolerogenic and immunomodulatory approaches for the treatment and prevention of many immune-mediated diseases, and is the lead NIH component for research on transplantation. The ultimate goal of DAIT's research program is the development of effective approaches for the treatment and prevention of immune-mediated diseases. Daniel Rotrosen, M.D., Director. Division of Clinical Research The Division of Clinical Research (DCR) plays an integral role in facilitating the efficient and effective performance of NIAID research programs on both the domestic and the international level. This is accomplished through a multi-faceted approach to the provision and support of services vital to the research infrastructure that include oversight and management of intramural clinical research, program planning and management, regulatory monitoring and compliance, statistical consultation and research methodology, and clinical research capacity building. H. Clifford Lane, M.D., Director. Division of Extramural Activities The Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) serves NIAID's extramural research community and the Institute in several key areas: overseeing policy and management for grants and contracts; managing NIAID's research training, small business, and international programs; and conducting initial peer review for funding mechanisms with Institute-specific needs. In addition to providing broad policy guidance to Institute management, DEA also oversees all of NIAID's chartered committees, including the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council; disseminates information to its extramural community through its large Internet site; and develops extramural staff training and communications through the NIAID intranet. Marvin Kalt, Ph.D., Director. Division of Intramural Research The Division of Intramural Research (DIR) is composed of 20 laboratories and 4 branches that conduct biomedical research programs covering a wide range of disciplines relating to immunology, allergy, and infectious diseases. This includes the subdisciplines of virology, microbiology, biochemistry, parasitology, epidemiology, mycology, molecular biology, immunology, immunopathology, and immunogenetics. In addition, DIR supports a large clinical effort to conduct patient-centered research in allergy, immunology, and infectious diseases. Kathryn C. Zoon, Ph.D., Director. Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases The Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) supports extramural research to control and prevent diseases caused by virtually all human infectious agents, including bacterial, viral, parasitic, and prion diseases, but not HIV. DMID supports a wide variety of projects spanning the spectrum from basic biology of human pathogens and their interaction with human hosts, through translational and clinical research toward the development of new and improved diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines for infectious diseases. DMID’s Biodefense Research Program supports basic research on organisms on the NIAID Category A to C list of priority pathogens for biodefense and emerging infectious diseases, as well as translational and clinical research to develop medical countermeasures for diseases caused by these agents. Carole A. Heilman, Ph.D., Director. Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center The Vaccine Research Center (VRC) conducts research that facilitates the development of effective vaccines for human disease. The primary focus of activities at the VRC is the development of an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine. In addition to its work on HIV, the VRC has expanded the scope of its activities to include research on developing improved smallpox vaccines; effective vaccines for Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fevers; vaccines for West Nile virus and for SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-associated coronavirus; and improved influenza vaccines protective against both seasonal influenza and avian influenza strains with the potential for pandemic outbreaks. Goals of the VRC include (1) determining whether a T-cell based vaccine can protect against acquisition of HIV-1 infection or delay disease progression; (2) developing an HIV-1 vaccine candidate that elicits neutralizing antibodies to circulating viral isolates and advancing such a vaccine into clinical trials; (3) identifying improved T-cell vaccines that optimize HIV-1-specific immunity and are independent of anti-vector immunity; and (4) advancing vaccine candidates into efficacy trials for Ebola, Marburg, and influenza viruses. Gary Nabel, M.D., Ph.D., Director. This page was last reviewed on
April 17, 2008
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