Luigi D. Notarangelo, M.D., Chief
The Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM) conducts clinical and basic science, and epidemiologic research into human immunologic, inflammatory, and infectious diseases.
Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) that arise from a variety of mutations in genes involved in the immune system are a major focus area of the laboratory. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the natural history and pathogenesis of PIDs, the LCIM integrates clinical studies with laboratory investigations at molecular-, cellular-, and systems-level scales. Through exploiting knowledge gained in the clinic and in the laboratory, the LCIM aims to develop novel diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches to manage and, ideally, cure patients of PIDs and infectious diseases.
Clinical and basic science aspects of bacterial, fungal, and viral microbiology and pathogenesis are another major concentration of LCIM investigators. Vaccine development and drug discovery efforts have led to several international clinical trials that aim to lessen the global impact of microbial diseases and prevent or minimize the emergence of drug-resistant microbes.
Training of physicians and scientists is central to the LCIM mission. The NIAID Infectious Disease Fellowship Training Program, the NIAID Primary Immune Deficiency Clinic, and the NIH Clinical Center Infectious Disease Consultation Service are integral components of the LCIM and facilitate the reciprocal education of basic scientists and clinical fellows alike.
Major Areas of Research
- Discovery of the gene mutations causing primary immune deficiencies and autoimmune disorders
- Bacterial pathogenesis (e.g., Mycobacterium, Borrelia, Chlamydia, Granulibacter)
- Fungal pathogenesis (e.g., Cryptococcus, Candida, Aspergillus)
- Viral pathogenesis (e.g., Herpes simplex and zoster, Vaccinia, Zika, Epstein-Barr)
- Development and testing of novel antimicrobial drugs, gene therapy, stem cell transplant, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, and other therapeutics to modify or correct immune function, prevent infection, and reduce inflammation
People
The Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology includes the following principal investigators, staff scientists, and/or staff clinicians:
- Clifton Barry III, Ph.D.
Tuberculosis Research Section - John E. Bennett, M.D.
Infectious Disease Fellowship Training Program - Jenna R.E. Bergerson, M.D., M.P.H.
Primary Immune Deficiency Clinic - Bibi Bielekova, M.D.
Neuroimmunological Diseases Section - Harlan D. Caldwell, Ph.D.
Chlamydial Diseases Section - Ray Y. Chen
Tuberculosis Research Section - Jennifer M. Cuellar-Rodriguez, M.D.
Director, Transplant Infectious Diseases Consult Service - John P. Dekker., M.D., Ph.D.
Bacterial Pathogenesis and Antimicrobial Resistance Unit - Augusto Dulanto Chiang, M.D.
Immunology and Microbiology - John Gallin, M.D.
Clinical Pathophysiology Section - Raphaela T. Goldbach-Mansky, M.D., M.H.S.
Translational Autoinflammatory Diseases Section - Soma Ghosh, Ph.D. Clinical
Immunology and Microbiology - Heather Hickman, Ph.D.
Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit - Steven Holland, M.D.
Immunopathogenesis Section
- K.J. Kwon-Chung, Ph.D.
Molecular Microbiology Section - Thomas Leto, Ph.D.
Molecular Defenses Section - Michail Lionakis, M.D., Sc.D.
Fungal Pathogenesis Section - Harry L. Malech, M.D.
Genetic Immunotherapy Section - Adriana Marques, M.D.
Lyme Disease Studies Unit - Katrin D. Mayer-Barber, Dr. rer. nat (Ph.D.)
Inflammation & Innate Immunity Unit - Robert Munford, M.D.
Antibacterial Host Defense Unit - Ian A. Myles, M.D., M.P.H.
Epithelial Therapeutics Unit - Luigi D. Notarangelo, M.D.
Immune Deficiency Genetics Section - D. Rebecca Prevots, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Epidemiology and Population Studies Unit - V. Koneti Rao, M.D., FRCPA
Primary Immune Deficiency Clinic - Emily Ricotta, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Epidemiology and Data Management Unit - Warren Strober, M.D.
Mucosal Immunity Section - Helen Su, M.D., Ph.D.
Human Immunological Diseases Section - Peter Williamson M.D., Ph.D.
Translational Mycology Section - Ottavia Delmonte
Immunodeficiency and Genetics Section
Sections and Units
The Laboratory of Clinical Immunology & Microbiology includes the following sections and units:
- Antibacterial Host Defense Unit
Robert Munford, M.D., Chief - Bacterial Pathogenesis and Antimicrobial Resistance Unit
John P. Dekker, M.D., Ph.D., Chief - Chlamydial Diseases Section
Harlan D. Caldwell, Ph.D., Chief - Clinical Pathophysiology Section
John Gallin, M.D., Chief - Epidemiology and Data Management Unit
Emily Ricotta, Ph.D, M.Sc., Chief - Epidemiology and Population Studies Unit
D. Rebecca Prevots, Ph.D., Chief - Epithelial Therapeutics Unit
Ian A. Myles, M.D., M.P.H., Chief - Fungal Pathogenesis Section
Michail Lionakis, M.D., Sc.D., Chief - Genetic Immunotherapy Section
Harry Malech, M.D., Chief - Human Immunological Diseases Section
Helen Su, M.D. Chief - Immune Deficiency Genetics Section
Luigi D. Notarangelo, M.D., Chief - Immunopathogenesis Section
Steven Holland, M.D., Chief - Infectious Disease Fellowship Training Program
John E. Bennett, M.D. - Inflammation & Innate Immunity Unit
Katrin D. Mayer-Barber, Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.), Chief
- Lyme Disease Studies Unit
Adriana Marques, M.D., Chief - Molecular Defenses Section
Thomas Leto, Ph.D., Chief - Molecular Microbiology Section
K.J. Kwon-Chung, Ph.D., Chief - Mucosal Immunity Section
Warren Strober, M.D., Chief - Neuroimmunological Diseases Section
Bibi Bielekova, M.D., Chief - Primary Immune Deficiency Clinic
V. Koneti Rao, M.D., FRCPA, Staff Clinician
Jenna R.E. Bergerson, M.D., M.P.H., Staff Clinician - Translational Autoinflammatory Diseases Section
Raphaela T. Goldbach-Mansky, M.D., M.H.S., Chief - Translational Mycology Section
Peter Williamson M.D., Ph.D., Chief - Transplant Infectious Diseases Consult Service
Jennifer M. Cuellar-Rodriguez, M.D. - Tuberculosis Research Section
Clifton Barry III, Ph.D., Chief - Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit
Heather Hickman, Ph.D., Chief
Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program
NIAID offers a three- to four-year, ACGME-accredited, clinical and research fellowship program for those interested in pursuing academic careers in infectious diseases that develops outstanding clinical and research skills in physicians who are already well rounded in clinical medicine.