Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Information for Researchers

NIAID conducts and supports basic research in allergy and immunology that increases our understanding of the immune system and how it contributes to the development of atopic dermatitis and its complications. NIAID also funds patient-centered research to explore the genetic determinants of eczema and to evaluate new strategies to prevent and treat the disease.

Through the information offered here, researchers can learn about the science being conducted at NIAID and by NIAID-funded researchers. Researchers seeking funding can access opportunities to further their own research, while NIAID and NIH grantees can find out about available resources outside of specific funding opportunities. Recent publications, active networks, and ways to connect with other researchers are also available.

Researcher Spotlights

headshot of Ashleigh Sun
CDR Ashleigh Sun, R.N., M.S.N.
Credit
NIAID

CDR Ashleigh Sun, R.N., M.S.N., Clinical Programs Manager

Ashleigh Sun is a clinical programs manager in the Epithelial Therapeutics Unit who works on eczema studies that have the potential to improve suffering for millions.

headshot of Ian Myles
Ian Myles, M.D., M.P.H.
Credit
NIAID

Ian Myles, M.D., M.P.H. Leads Eczema Research

Dr. Ian Myles’ research investigates how human health is affected by the normal microorganisms that live on our skin. His lab specifically focuses on eczema. 

The news release NIAID Discovery Leads to Novel Probiotic for Eczema highlights the scientific discovery of an R. mucosa-based probiotic that is the result of seven years of research in NIAID’s Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM).

Support for Research

Resources for Researchers

NIAID offers resources such as technologies available for licensing or collaboration, computer applications, and other tools and services developed in its labs to the general scientific community for the advancement of biomedical research.

Find resources that support and further the researchers of allergic diseases

Connect with Other Researchers

Search for scientists at NIAID who research eczema in the scientist directory.

Search for scientists funded by NIAID who research eczema on RePORTER.

 

 

 

Programs & Networks

Atopic Dermatitis Research Network scientists aim to understand immune system responses in the skin by comparing responses to viral and bacterial skin infections in healthy individuals with those in people with atopic dermatitis.

Follow Us on Social Media

@NIAIDNews on X
Resources for Researchers email updates
NIAID on LinkedIn
NIAID on Facebook
NIAID on Instagram

Ebola and Marburg Information for Researchers

NIAID is conducting and supporting research to find new and improved ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent Ebola and Marburg infections. Through the information offered here, the Ebola and Marburg scientific community can learn about NIAID funding opportunities, programs, and networks to further research and encourage collaboration. This section also provides information on resources provided by NIAID to advance product development.

Support for Research

Funding

NIAID is always accepting researcher-initiated applications. Connect with one of the NIAID program officers working in your area of research listed below about potential or related funding for Ebola virus and Marburg virus research.

Virology Branch

Office of Biodefense, Research Resources and Translational Research

Search all NIAID funding opportunities and announcements

Programs & Networks

  • The NIAID-funded Centers of Excellence for Translational Research program is funding innovative research to develop novel therapeutics and vaccines against Ebola and Marburg viruses. Filovirus research is also supported through the National Biocontainment Research Facilities.
  • NIAID funds the Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CREID), a global network of multidisciplinary investigations into how and where viruses and other pathogens can emerge from wildlife and spillover to cause disease in people. Research is led by 10 Centers and one Coordinating Center and involves collaborations with peer institutions in the United States and 28 other countries. 
See a full list of Ebola and Marburg programs and networks funded by NIAID

Resources for Researchers

NIAID offers resources such as technologies available for licensing or collaboration, computer applications, and other tools and services to the general scientific community to advance basic, preclinical, and clinical research. See all resources for Ebola and Marburg researchers.

For researchers developing products such as diagnostics, vaccines, or drug therapies, check out NIAID's support for infectious disease product developers.

Connect With Other Researchers

Search for scientists at NIAID who research ebola and marburg in the scientist directory. The Integrated Research Facility also does research on Ebola and Marburg.

Search for scientists funded by NIAID who research malaria on RePORTER.

Follow Us on Social Media

@NIAIDNews on X
Resources for Researchers email updates
NIAID on LinkedIn
NIAID on Facebook
NIAID on Instagram

Coronaviruses Information for Researchers

NIAID provides research funding and resources for the scientific community to facilitate the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for infectious diseases, including those caused by coronaviruses.

Highlights

scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)
This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (pink) cultured in the lab.
Credit
NIAID-RML

NIAID COVID-19 Strategic Research Plan

The NIAID Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research details the institute’s priorities for controlling and ultimately ending the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease it causes (COVID-19). The plan focuses on four key research areas to accomplish this.

gloved hand prepares a syringe
Credit
Adobe Stock
Disciplines & Approaches
Vaccines

Next Generation COVID-19 Vaccines

NIAID plans to leverage existing infrastructure and network sites to implement a structured program evaluating up to 10 next generation COVID-19 vaccines in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials.

a blue cartoon image of a generic virus
Credit
NIAID

Antiviral Program for Pandemics

NIAID’s research program to develop safe and effective antivirals to combat SARS-CoV-2 will also build sustainable platforms for targeted drug discovery and development of antivirals against viruses with pandemic potential.

Support for Research

Resources for Researchers

NIAID offers resources such as technologies available for licensing or collaboration, computer applications, and other tools and services to the general scientific community to advance basic, preclinical, and clinical research. See all resources for coronavirus researchers. 

For researchers developing products such as diagnostics, vaccines, or drug therapies, NIAID provides repositories, genomics and bioinformatics services and tools, preclinical studies, and clinical evaluation that support each stage of the product development pathway. Read more about NIAID's support for infectious disease product developers.

Also, visit the NIH COVID-19 website for additional resources from other NIH Institutes and Centers.

Funding Information

  • To find grant funding opportunities specific to COVID-19, search for COVID on our Opportunities page.
  • You may consider other funding opportunities that allow you to propose COVID-19 research, for example, Parent Program Announcements.
  • To find all NIAID contract funding opportunities, see contract solicitations.

For the latest information, read recent NIAID Funding News articles.

You can also check out special announcements that will keep you up-to-date on other NIAID-relevant NIH Guide notices.

Data Sharing

Request Access to NIAID COVID-19 Clinical Trials Data Sets

AccessClinicalData@NIAID is an NIAID cloud-based, secure data platform that enables sharing of and access to data sets from NIAID COVID-19 clinical trials for the basic and clinical research community. Read more about AccessClinicalData@NIAID.

Other Opportunities for Shared Data

The Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Diseases and Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases are making their data publicly available. See more information about the Centers for Research on Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases (CRSTAL-ID) in general.

Connect With Other Researchers

The COVID-19 Scientific Interest Group was created to promote collaboration and facilitate the exchange of information and resources among NIH intramural scientists and their HHS colleagues concerning research on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2.

Search for scientists at NIAID who research coronaviruses in the scientist directory.

Search for scientists funded by NIAID who research coronaviruses on RePORTER.

Biosafety Information

NIH currently recommends that laboratories working with SARS-CoV-2 adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) interim laboratory biosafety guidelines for collecting and handling specimens potentially containing SARS-CoV-2. In addition, all research subject to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Get additional information about the NIH Guidelines and IBCs.

Questions related to the NIH Guidelines may be addressed to NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov. 

Immune Response to COVID-19

NIAID researchers are spearheading a large, international collaboration to investigate the innate and adaptive immune responses during acute COVID-19 infection and convalescence. The overall goal is to identify immunological and virological correlates and predictors of clinical outcomes. Researchers are currently seeking physicians to collaborate.

Read more about immune response to COVID-19 research

Follow Us on Social Media

@NIAIDNews on X
Resources for Researchers email updates
NIAID on LinkedIn
NIAID on Facebook
NIAID on Instagram

Seher H. Anjum, M.D.

Section or Unit Name
Translational Mycology Section
Exclude from directory
Off
Section/Unit: Location
NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD
This Researcher/Clinician’s Person Page
Seher H. Anjum, M.D.
Parent Lab/Program
Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
Program Description

Associate Investigator for Protocol 93-I-0106: Cryptococcosis in Previously Healthy Adults

Background: 

Cryptococcus is a fungus that causes infections most commonly in immunocompromised patients, such as those with AIDS and solid organ transplant recipients and is currently responsible for an estimated 15% of all AIDS-related deaths globally. Within the U.S., approximately 15-20% have no identifiable immune defect and cryptococcal infection in these hosts has a mortality rate of 30-50% despite optimal antifungal therapy.  

The objectives of this protocol can be broadly categorized as: 

  • Characterize the immunologic and genetic mechanisms predisposing to disease acquisition.
  • Understand the post-infectious inflammatory response and distinguish its consequences from those directly due to fungal growth.
  • Management of post-infectious neuro-inflammatory syndromes associated with cryptococcal meningitis 

This protocol recruits patients who have microbiological evidence of cryptococcal neurologic or non-CNS disease (typically pulmonary or bone). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples collected during clinical care, are used to measure serum and intrathecal cellular and soluble cytokines as well as to perform in-situ immunohistochemistry. Observational data detailing audiological, ophthalmological and neurocognitive deficits in these patients is also recorded. 

We have recently described a post-infectious inflammatory syndrome (PIIRS) associated with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) which can be best described as a neuro-inflammatory state during which CM patients present with altered mental status (Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score <22/30), auditory deficits and/or vision loss despite having negative CSF fungal cultures after being treated with optimal antifungal therapy. Based on findings in CSF and brain tissue samples, the underlying mechanism behind this phenomenon is related to the intrathecal expansion of both the innate and adaptive immune system, including HLA-DR+ CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and NK cells. In a cohort of 15 previously healthy CM patients, we have been able to demonstrate an improvement in clinical outcomes with pulse corticosteroid therapy for patients with PIIRS and are currently exploring alternative immunomodulatory agents as steroid-sparing therapy for this indication.

Clinical Studies
Selected Publications

Okeagu CU, Anjum SH, Vitale S, Wang J, Singh D, Rosen LB, Magone MT, Fitzgibbon EJ, Williamson PR. Ocular Findings of Cryptococcal Meningitis in Previously Health Adults. J Neuroophthalmol. 2022 Oct 18.

Anjum S, Dean O, Kosa P, Magone MT, King KA, Fitzgibbon E, Kim HJ, Zalewski C, Murphy E, Billioux BJ, Chisholm J, Brewer CC, Krieger C, Elsegeiny W, Scott TL, Wang J, Hunsberger S, Bennett JE, Nath A, Marr KA, Bielekova B, Wendler D, Hammoud DA, Williamson P. Outcomes in Previously Healthy Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis Patients Treated With Pulse Taper Corticosteroids for Post-infectious Inflammatory Syndrome. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Nov 2;73(9):e2789-e2798.

Yang DH, England MR, Salvator H, Anjum S, Park YD, Marr KA, Chu LA, Govender NP, Lockhart SR, Desnos-Ollivier M, Chen S, Halliday C, Kan A, Chen J, Wollenberg KR, Zelazny A, Perfect JR, Chang YC, Bennett JE, Holland SM, Meyer W, Williamson PR, Kwon-Chung KJ. Cryptococcus gattii Species Complex as an Opportunistic Pathogen: Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with the Infection. mBio. 2021 Oct 26;12(5):e0270821.

Anjum S, Williamson PR. Clinical Aspects of Immune Damage in Cryptococcosis. Curr Fungal Infect Rep. 2019 Sep;13(3):99-108.

Visit PubMed for a complete publication listing.

Additional Information

Research Networks

CINCH (Cryptococcus Infection Network in non-HIV Cohort)

Training Programs

NIH-Duke Clinical Research Training Program

 

Major Areas of Research
  • Cryptococcal meningitis in previously healthy hosts
  • Post-infectious neuro-inflammatory responses 
  • The use of steroid-sparing, immunomodulatory agents in neuro-inflammation 
     

Autoimmune Diseases Information for Researchers

NIAID supports a broad range of basic, preclinical, and clinical research in autoimmune diseases. Research is focused on the immunologic basis of disease, including developing a greater understanding of the fundamental immunologic principles underlying disease onset and progression, developing improved animal models of disease, developing improved diagnostic tools, and identifying and evaluating more effective immune-based treatment and prevention strategies.

Through the information offered here, researchers can learn about the science being conducted at NIAID and by NIAID-funded researchers. Researchers seeking funding can access opportunities to further their own research, while NIAID and NIH grantees can find out about available resources outside of specific funding opportunities. Recent publications, active networks, and ways to connect with other researchers are also available.

Networks

NIAID encourages partnerships among other agencies and foundations, private industry, federal and local government and other organizations with similar goals to help build and sustain research infrastructure and to translate and implement research findings as public health practices.

Read more about NIAID-supported collaborations and partnerships that further autoimmune disease research

The AMP AIM Program 

NIAID supports the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases (AMP® AIM) program, which launched in 2021 to deepen understanding of the cellular and molecular interactions that lead to inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

Read more about the AMP AIM Program

Resources for Researchers

NIAID offers resources to advance science from basic research through advanced clinical evaluation, with the goal of developing new and improved products such as diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics. 

Read more about resources for autoimmune disease researchers

NIH Targeted Delivery Interest Group (TDIG) Past Webinars

Neeltje van Doremalen, Ph.D.

Section or Unit Name
Mucosal Immunology and Virology Unit (MIVU)
Exclude from directory
Off
Section/Unit: Year Established
Section/Unit: Location
Hamilton, MT
This Researcher/Clinician’s Person Page
Neeltje van Doremalen, Ph.D.
Parent Lab/Program
Laboratory of Virology
Program Description

Our lab is dedicated to understanding the unique role of the mucosal immune system in protecting the respiratory tract against viral infections. Unlike the systemic immune system, the mucosal immune system acts as the first line of defense at critical surfaces such as the respiratory tract, gut, and reproductive organs. Key players in this defense include tissue-resident memory T cells and secretory IgA, which operate independently of systemic responses. We aim to unravel how mucosal immunity is induced and how it provides protection against respiratory viruses, particularly in the context of infections in the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

We investigate the immune responses elicited by respiratory viruses such as influenza A viruses and coronaviruses, focusing on both mucosal and systemic adaptive immunity. Using rodent models, we study the humoral and cellular responses elicited by different infection routes and analyze the role of innate immunity in shaping adaptive responses. By leveraging techniques like high dimensional flow cytometry, systems serology, deep mutational scanning, single-cell transcriptomics, and multiplex imaging, we gain spatial and temporal insights into immune responses across critical tissues, including the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, nasal turbinates, lungs, and lymph nodes. These studies enable us to map mucosal immunity comprehensively and identify the breadth and depth required for protection upon rechallenge.

We additionally aim to identify correlates of protection and optimize vaccine strategies to induce robust mucosal immunity. We evaluate diverse vaccine platforms—including mRNA, vectored, and subunit vaccines—administered via various routes, such as intranasal, intramuscular, and inhalation. By comparing vaccine technologies and regimens, we aim to establish principles for designing universal vaccines capable of inducing broad, durable mucosal immune responses. Ultimately, our goal is to provide foundational insights that improve vaccine design and our understanding of protective mechanisms against respiratory viruses.

Immunohistochemistry staining of nasal-associated lymphoid tissues (NALT). The upper panels show CD3 (yellow, marking T cells) and PAX5 (teal, marking B cells). The lower panels depict Ki67 (purple, marking proliferating cells).

Immunohistochemistry staining of nasal-associated lymphoid tissues (NALT). The upper panels show CD3 (yellow, marking T cells) and PAX5 (teal, marking B cells). The lower panels depict Ki67 (purple, marking proliferating cells). Samples were collected at various time points following intranasal vaccination of mice with a replication-incompetent adenovirus vaccine. Acknowledgements: Reshma K. Mukesh, Carl Shaia, Jessy Prado-Smith.

Credit: NIAID
Immunohistochemistry staining of nasal turbinates and NALT tissues with CD3 (brown), highlighting the migration of T cells into these regions.

Immunohistochemistry staining of nasal turbinates and NALT tissues with CD3 (brown), highlighting the migration of T cells into these regions. Samples were collected at various time points after intranasal vaccination of mice with a replication-incompetent adenovirus vaccine. Acknowledgements: Reshma K. Mukesh, Carl Shaia, Jessy Prado-Smith.

Credit: NIAID
Selected Publications

Cohen AA, van Doremalen N, Greaney AJ, Andersen H, Sharma A, Starr TN, Keeffe JR, Fan C, Schulz JE, Gnanapragasam PNP, Kakutani LM, West AP Jr, Saturday G, Lee YE, Gao H, Jette CA, Lewis MG, Tan TK, Townsend AR, Bloom JD, Munster VJ, Bjorkman PJ. Mosaic RBD nanoparticles protect against challenge by diverse sarbecoviruses in animal models. Science. 2022 Aug 5;377(6606):eabq0839.

van Doremalen N, Purushotham JN, Schulz JE, Holbrook MG, Bushmaker T, Carmody A, Port JR, Yinda CK, Okumura A, Saturday G, Amanat F, Krammer F, Hanley PW, Smith BJ, Lovaglio J, Anzick SL, Barbian K, Martens C, Gilbert SC, Lambe T, Munster VJ. Intranasal ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 vaccination reduces viral shedding after SARS-CoV-2 D614G challenge in preclinical models. Sci Transl Med. 2021 Aug 18;13(607):eabh0755.

Holbrook MG, Anthony SJ, Navarrete-Macias I, Bestebroer T, Munster VJ, van Doremalen N. Updated and Validated Pan-Coronavirus PCR Assay to Detect All Coronavirus Genera. Viruses. 2021 Apr 1;13(4):599.

van Doremalen N, Lambe T, Spencer A, Belij-Rammerstorfer S, Purushotham JN, Port JR, Avanzato VA, Bushmaker T, Flaxman A, Ulaszewska M, Feldmann F, Allen ER, Sharpe H, Schulz J, Holbrook M, Okumura A, Meade-White K, Pérez-Pérez L, Edwards NJ, Wright D, Bissett C, Gilbride C, Williamson BN, Rosenke R, Long D, Ishwarbhai A, Kailath R, Rose L, Morris S, Powers C, Lovaglio J, Hanley PW, Scott D, Saturday G, de Wit E, Gilbert SC, Munster VJ. ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine prevents SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in rhesus macaques. Nature. 2020 Oct;586(7830):578-582.

Folegatti PM, Ewer KJ, Aley PK, Angus B, Becker S, Belij-Rammerstorfer S, Bellamy D, Bibi S, Bittaye M, Clutterbuck EA, Dold C, Faust SN, Finn A, Flaxman AL, Hallis B, Heath P, Jenkin D, Lazarus R, Makinson R, Minassian AM, Pollock KM, Ramasamy M, Robinson H, Snape M, Tarrant R, Voysey M, Green C, Douglas AD, Hill AVS, Lambe T, Gilbert SC, Pollard AJ; Oxford COVID Vaccine Trial Group. Safety and immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: a preliminary report of a phase 1/2, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2020 Aug 15;396(10249):467-478.

van Doremalen N, Bushmaker T, Morris DH, Holbrook MG, Gamble A, Williamson BN, Tamin A, Harcourt JL, Thornburg NJ, Gerber SI, Lloyd-Smith JO, de Wit E, Munster VJ. Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1. N Engl J Med. 2020 Apr 16;382(16):1564-1567.

Visit PubMed for a complete publication listing.

Additional Information

Additional Information

Major Areas of Research
  • Understanding mucosal immunity induced by respiratory virus infections and mucosal vaccination
  • Identifying correlates of protection against respiratory virus infections
  • Utilize this knowledge to design improved vaccines

NIH Medical Scientist Partnership Program (MSPP)—Guidance for Applicants

Awarded Data Science Projects

NIAID has awarded multiple projects for data science research, training, and technology development. Awarded projects from across NIAID will be added on an ongoing basis. The list is coordinated by the Office of Data Science and Emerging Technologies (ODSET). 

Tuberculosis Research Unit at Weill Cornell Medical College

Subscribe to