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Title

 Etiology and Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Status

 Open

Project Description

 

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects primarily women during their childbearing years and can be devastating.  The cause is not known although both genetic and environmental factors are believed to be important.  One project in my lab is directed at understanding the cause of lupus by examining genes that are likely involved in its development.  One gene that we are particularly interested in is complement receptor 2, which is decreased in patients with lupus and which contains several polymorphisms that are associated with disease.  We are aiming to understand the functional effect of these polymorphisms at the molecular, cellular and system level, using both animal models and human samples.  Another project involves the identification of biomarkers that either predict the development of lupus in predisposed individuals or that predict flares of disease in patients with already diagnosed lupus.  A third project involves the development of therapies that will tolerize autoreactive B cells and prevent the development or progression of lupus using animal models.  We believe that better understanding of the mechanisms that underpin the development of lupus with lead to more effective and less toxic therapies. 
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Mentor Name

 Boackle, Susan

Mentor Location

 1775 Aurora Court, Room 3102B

Mentor Contact Number

 303-724-7611

Mentor Contact Email

 susan.boackle@ucdenver.edu

Specialty

 Enter Choice #1

Preceptor Name

  

Student

  

Department

 Medicine

Funding Department/Program

 Rheumatology Grant

Area of Study

 Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases

Populations

 Adults

Method(s)

 Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Genetics

Disease or Symptom

 Arthritis; Heart Disease; Lung Disease; Neurological Illness

Faculty/Lab Website

 http://www.cudoctors.com/find-a-doctor/?keywords=boackle

Display on public listings?

 Yes

Attachments

Created at 7/3/2012 12:24 PM by Watts, Katie
Last modified at 8/23/2012 11:31 AM by Watts, Katie