Montage of scientific research images.

The research conducted by NIAMS investigators and clinicians spans many fields of science. Often, however, our scientists share research interests, goals, and techniques. Below, we invite you to explore our laboratories, which are grouped according to several major scientific focus areas. An alphabetical list of all laboratories is also available.

Autoimmunity

Juvenile Myositis Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Unit

Hanna Kim, M.S., M.D.
Led by Dr. Hanna Kim, this unit studies juvenile myositis, including juvenile dermatomyositis, by comprehensively evaluating patients to better understand disease pathogenesis and conducting early phase clinical trials to evaluate new treatments.

Laboratory of Molecular Immunogenetics, Genomics and Immunity Section

John O’Shea, M.D.
The lab investigates immune cell processes, and how they impact autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.

Lupus Clinical Trials Unit

Sarfaraz Hasni, M.D.
Led by Dr. Sarfaraz Hasni, the unit studies the natural history and pathogenesis of lupus and involved in designing and conducting early phase clinical trials.

Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit

Pravitt Gourh, M.D.
The Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit is focused on unraveling genetic risk by using genomic technologies and dissecting the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in order to comprehend autoimmune, fibrotic, and health disparity conditions.

Systemic Autoimmunity Branch

Mariana J. Kaplan, M.D.
Led by Dr. Mariana Kaplan, the branch studies autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, seeking treatments and improved outcomes.

Translational Genetics and Genomics Section

Michael J. Ombrello, M.D.
Led by Dr. Michael Ombrello, the section uses genomic approaches to understand the underlying factors of autoinflammatory and rheumatic diseases.

Vasculitis Translational Research Program

Peter Grayson, M.D., M.Sc.
Led by Dr. Peter Grayson, the program studies systemic vasculitis by evaluating patients with the disease through comprehensive research initiatives.

Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics

Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology

Naoko Mizuno, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Naoko Mizuno, the Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology aims to understand the molecular mechanisms governing specialized cell shapes, such as those of neurons, activated immune cells or platelets and certain cancer cells.

Cancer Biology

Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section

Isaac Brownell, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Isaac Brownell, the Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section studies the signaling pathways such as Hedgehog signaling that regulate the development and maintenance of normal skin and the changes in these signals that occur during the formation of skin cancer

Cutaneous Malignancies Unit

Natasha T. Hill, Ph.D.
The Cutaneous Malignancies Unit investigates the mechanisms and processes underlying skin cancers such as Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Laboratory of Molecular Immunogenetics, Genomics and Immunity Section

John O’Shea, M.D.
The lab investigates immune cell processes, and how they impact autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.

Laboratory of Skin Biology

Maria I. Morasso, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Maria I. Morasso, the lab studies processes of epidermal differentiation, skin barrier formation and wound healing.

Cell Biology

Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit

Timothy Bhattacharyya, M.D.
Led by Dr. Timothy Bhattacharyya, the unit investigates orthopedic conditions, including femur fractures and hip infections, and related treatments.

Laboratory of Molecular Immunogenetics, Genomics and Immunity Section

John O’Shea, M.D.
The lab investigates immune cell processes, and how they impact autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.

Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation

Vittorio Sartorelli, M.D.
Led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli, the lab studies mechanisms that regulate specification, differentiation, and regeneration of skeletal muscle cells.

Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology

Naoko Mizuno, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Naoko Mizuno, the Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology aims to understand the molecular mechanisms governing specialized cell shapes, such as those of neurons, activated immune cells or platelets and certain cancer cells.

Lymphocyte Signaling Unit

Tasha A. Morrison, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Tasha Morrison, the Lymphocyte Signaling Unit studies molecular processes that control immune cell development and function.

Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch

John O’Shea, M.D.
Led by Dr. John O’Shea, the branch investigates how T cells play a role in both immune defense and development of immune-mediated diseases.

Pediatric Translational Research Branch

Robert A. Colbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Robert Colbert, the branch studies Spondyloarthritis, particularly early-onset Ankylosing Spondylitis and spinal development in children.

Systemic Autoimmunity Branch

Mariana J. Kaplan, M.D.
Led by Dr. Mariana Kaplan, the branch studies autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, seeking treatments and improved outcomes.

Chromosome Biology

Laboratory of Molecular Immunogenetics, Genomics and Immunity Section

John O’Shea, M.D.
The lab investigates immune cell processes, and how they impact autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.

Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation

Vittorio Sartorelli, M.D.
Led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli, the lab studies mechanisms that regulate specification, differentiation, and regeneration of skeletal muscle cells.

Lymphocyte Signaling Unit

Tasha A. Morrison, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Tasha Morrison, the Lymphocyte Signaling Unit studies molecular processes that control immune cell development and function.

Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch

John O’Shea, M.D.
Led by Dr. John O’Shea, the branch investigates how T cells play a role in both immune defense and development of immune-mediated diseases.

Clinical Research

Clinical Care and Research

Clinical Care and Research at NIAMS is located at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus in Bethesda, Maryland, comprises several programs of research focused on rheumatological health in minority and underserved populations. Medical experts in the fields of autoimmunity, arthritis, lupus, and other rheumatological diseases conduct research focused on the evaluation, diagnosis, standard of care, and disease management of underserved patients from the local community (Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia).

Cutaneous Leukocyte Biology Section

Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, the section investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate immunological and structural homeostasis in the skin.

Cutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation Section

Heidi H. Kong, M.D., M.H.Sc.
Led by Heidi Kong, the section uses genomics to study the skin microbes in healthy individuals and patients with skin diseases and to expand our understanding of host-microbe interactions.

Dermatology Consultation Service

Edward W. Cowen, M.D., M.H.Sc.
The Dermatology Consultation Service at the NIH Clinical Center evaluates patients with a variety of rare diseases with cutaneous manifestations. In addition, patients who experience adverse reactions to experimental therapeutic agents or manifest unrelated skin conditions while at the NIH are evaluated and treated. Dermatology Branch clinical fellows, fellows from other NIH Institutes, and visiting dermatology residents from around the country receive training on the Dermatology consult service.

Functional Immunogenomics Section

Luis M. Franco, M.D.
The Functional Immunogenomics Unit applies cutting-edge genomic technologies to the solution of medically important questions related to the immune system. A major focus is on the molecular dissection of the immunoregulatory effects of glucocorticoids

Juvenile Myositis Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Unit

Hanna Kim, M.S., M.D.
Led by Dr. Hanna Kim, this unit studies juvenile myositis, including juvenile dermatomyositis, by comprehensively evaluating patients to better understand disease pathogenesis and conducting early phase clinical trials to evaluate new treatments.

Lupus Clinical Trials Unit

Sarfaraz Hasni, M.D.
Led by Dr. Sarfaraz Hasni, the unit studies the natural history and pathogenesis of lupus and involved in designing and conducting early phase clinical trials.

Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch

John O’Shea, M.D.
Led by Dr. John O’Shea, the branch investigates how T cells play a role in both immune defense and development of immune-mediated diseases.

Muscle Disease Section

Andrew Mammen, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Andrew Mammen, the unit researches human muscle diseases, as well the basic biology of skeletal muscle regeneration.

Pediatric Translational Research Branch

Robert A. Colbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Robert Colbert, the branch studies Spondyloarthritis, particularly early-onset Ankylosing Spondylitis and spinal development in children.

Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit

Pravitt Gourh, M.D.
The Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit is focused on unraveling genetic risk by using genomic technologies and dissecting the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in order to comprehend autoimmune, fibrotic, and health disparity conditions.

Systemic Autoimmunity Branch

Mariana J. Kaplan, M.D.
Led by Dr. Mariana Kaplan, the branch studies autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, seeking treatments and improved outcomes.

Vasculitis Translational Research Program

Peter Grayson, M.D., M.Sc.
Led by Dr. Peter Grayson, the program studies systemic vasculitis by evaluating patients with the disease through comprehensive research initiatives.

Computational Biology

Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section

Isaac Brownell, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Isaac Brownell, the Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section studies the signaling pathways such as Hedgehog signaling that regulate the development and maintenance of normal skin and the changes in these signals that occur during the formation of skin cancer

Cutaneous Leukocyte Biology Section

Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, the section investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate immunological and structural homeostasis in the skin.

Cutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation Section

Heidi H. Kong, M.D., M.H.Sc.
Led by Heidi Kong, the section uses genomics to study the skin microbes in healthy individuals and patients with skin diseases and to expand our understanding of host-microbe interactions.

Functional Immunogenomics Section

Luis M. Franco, M.D.
The Functional Immunogenomics Unit applies cutting-edge genomic technologies to the solution of medically important questions related to the immune system. A major focus is on the molecular dissection of the immunoregulatory effects of glucocorticoids

Juvenile Myositis Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Unit

Hanna Kim, M.S., M.D.
Led by Dr. Hanna Kim, this unit studies juvenile myositis, including juvenile dermatomyositis, by comprehensively evaluating patients to better understand disease pathogenesis and conducting early phase clinical trials to evaluate new treatments.

Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation

Vittorio Sartorelli, M.D.
Led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli, the lab studies mechanisms that regulate specification, differentiation, and regeneration of skeletal muscle cells.

Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch

John O’Shea, M.D.
Led by Dr. John O’Shea, the branch investigates how T cells play a role in both immune defense and development of immune-mediated diseases.

Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit

Pravitt Gourh, M.D.
The Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit is focused on unraveling genetic risk by using genomic technologies and dissecting the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in order to comprehend autoimmune, fibrotic, and health disparity conditions.

Vasculitis Translational Research Program

Peter Grayson, M.D., M.Sc.
Led by Dr. Peter Grayson, the program studies systemic vasculitis by evaluating patients with the disease through comprehensive research initiatives.

Developmental Biology

Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation

Vittorio Sartorelli, M.D.
Led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli, the lab studies mechanisms that regulate specification, differentiation, and regeneration of skeletal muscle cells.

Laboratory of Skin Biology

Maria I. Morasso, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Maria I. Morasso, the lab studies processes of epidermal differentiation, skin barrier formation and wound healing.

Muscle Energetics Laboratory

Brian Glancy, Ph.D.
The focus of Dr. Glancy’s muscle energetics research program is to determine how mitochondria are optimized within muscle cells to help maintain energy homeostasis during the large change in energy demand caused by muscle contraction.

Epidemiology

Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit

Timothy Bhattacharyya, M.D.
Led by Dr. Timothy Bhattacharyya, the unit investigates orthopedic conditions, including femur fractures and hip infections, and related treatments.

Lupus Genomics and Global Health Disparities Unit

Laura B. Lewandowski, M.S., M.D.
Dr. Lewandowski leads a team of scientists studying systemic lupus erythematosus patients in populations around the globe. Her research focuses on genetic drivers of severe disease and inflammation in diverse cohorts worldwide.

Vasculitis Translational Research Program

Peter Grayson, M.D., M.Sc.
Led by Dr. Peter Grayson, the program studies systemic vasculitis by evaluating patients with the disease through comprehensive research initiatives.

Genetics and Genomics

Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit

Timothy Bhattacharyya, M.D.
Led by Dr. Timothy Bhattacharyya, the unit investigates orthopedic conditions, including femur fractures and hip infections, and related treatments.

Cutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation Section

Heidi H. Kong, M.D., M.H.Sc.
Led by Heidi Kong, the section uses genomics to study the skin microbes in healthy individuals and patients with skin diseases and to expand our understanding of host-microbe interactions.

Functional Immunogenomics Section

Luis M. Franco, M.D.
The Functional Immunogenomics Unit applies cutting-edge genomic technologies to the solution of medically important questions related to the immune system. A major focus is on the molecular dissection of the immunoregulatory effects of glucocorticoids

Laboratory of Molecular Immunogenetics, Genomics and Immunity Section

John O’Shea, M.D.
The lab investigates immune cell processes, and how they impact autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.

Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation

Vittorio Sartorelli, M.D.
Led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli, the lab studies mechanisms that regulate specification, differentiation, and regeneration of skeletal muscle cells.

Laboratory of Skin Biology

Maria I. Morasso, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Maria I. Morasso, the lab studies processes of epidermal differentiation, skin barrier formation and wound healing.

Lupus Genomics and Global Health Disparities Unit

Laura B. Lewandowski, M.S., M.D.
Dr. Lewandowski leads a team of scientists studying systemic lupus erythematosus patients in populations around the globe. Her research focuses on genetic drivers of severe disease and inflammation in diverse cohorts worldwide.

Lymphocyte Transcriptional Regulation Unit

Danielle Chisolm, Ph.D.
The Transcriptional Regulation of Lymphocytes Unit focuses on the mechanisms behind T Cell specification. We integrate several next-generation sequencing techniques, such as RNAseq, to look at differential gene expression and ATACseq, to investigate T cell specification at both the transcriptional and epigenetic levels.

Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch

John O’Shea, M.D.
Led by Dr. John O’Shea, the branch investigates how T cells play a role in both immune defense and development of immune-mediated diseases.

Pediatric Translational Research Branch

Robert A. Colbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Robert Colbert, the branch studies Spondyloarthritis, particularly early-onset Ankylosing Spondylitis and spinal development in children.

RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory

Markus Hafner, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Markus Hafner, the laboratory studies the makeup of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) involved in cellular RNA transport and control of RNA stability.

Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit

Pravitt Gourh, M.D.
The Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit is focused on unraveling genetic risk by using genomic technologies and dissecting the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in order to comprehend autoimmune, fibrotic, and health disparity conditions.

Translational Genetics and Genomics Section

Michael J. Ombrello, M.D.
Led by Dr. Michael Ombrello, the section uses genomic approaches to understand the underlying factors of autoinflammatory and rheumatic diseases.

Vasculitis Translational Research Program

Peter Grayson, M.D., M.Sc.
Led by Dr. Peter Grayson, the program studies systemic vasculitis by evaluating patients with the disease through comprehensive research initiatives.

Health Disparities

Lupus Genomics and Global Health Disparities Unit

Laura B. Lewandowski, M.S., M.D.
Dr. Lewandowski leads a team of scientists studying systemic lupus erythematosus patients in populations around the globe. Her research focuses on genetic drivers of severe disease and inflammation in diverse cohorts worldwide.

Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit

Pravitt Gourh, M.D.
The Scleroderma Genomics and Health Disparities Unit is focused on unraveling genetic risk by using genomic technologies and dissecting the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in order to comprehend autoimmune, fibrotic, and health disparity conditions.

Immunology

Cutaneous Leukocyte Biology Section

Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, the section investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate immunological and structural homeostasis in the skin.

Dermatology Consultation Service

Edward W. Cowen, M.D., M.H.Sc.
The Dermatology Consultation Service at the NIH Clinical Center evaluates patients with a variety of rare diseases with cutaneous manifestations. In addition, patients who experience adverse reactions to experimental therapeutic agents or manifest unrelated skin conditions while at the NIH are evaluated and treated. Dermatology Branch clinical fellows, fellows from other NIH Institutes, and visiting dermatology residents from around the country receive training on the Dermatology consult service.

Functional Immunogenomics Section

Luis M. Franco, M.D.
The Functional Immunogenomics Unit applies cutting-edge genomic technologies to the solution of medically important questions related to the immune system. A major focus is on the molecular dissection of the immunoregulatory effects of glucocorticoids

Juvenile Myositis Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Unit

Hanna Kim, M.S., M.D.
Led by Dr. Hanna Kim, this unit studies juvenile myositis, including juvenile dermatomyositis, by comprehensively evaluating patients to better understand disease pathogenesis and conducting early phase clinical trials to evaluate new treatments.

Laboratory of Molecular Immunogenetics, Genomics and Immunity Section

John O’Shea, M.D.
The lab investigates immune cell processes, and how they impact autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.

Lupus Clinical Trials Unit

Sarfaraz Hasni, M.D.
Led by Dr. Sarfaraz Hasni, the unit studies the natural history and pathogenesis of lupus and involved in designing and conducting early phase clinical trials.

Lupus Genomics and Global Health Disparities Unit

Laura B. Lewandowski, M.S., M.D.
Dr. Lewandowski leads a team of scientists studying systemic lupus erythematosus patients in populations around the globe. Her research focuses on genetic drivers of severe disease and inflammation in diverse cohorts worldwide.

Lymphocyte Signaling Unit

Tasha A. Morrison, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Tasha Morrison, the Lymphocyte Signaling Unit studies molecular processes that control immune cell development and function.

Lymphocyte Transcriptional Regulation Unit

Danielle Chisolm, Ph.D.
The Transcriptional Regulation of Lymphocytes Unit focuses on the mechanisms behind T Cell specification. We integrate several next-generation sequencing techniques, such as RNAseq, to look at differential gene expression and ATACseq, to investigate T cell specification at both the transcriptional and epigenetic levels.

Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch

John O’Shea, M.D.
Led by Dr. John O’Shea, the branch investigates how T cells play a role in both immune defense and development of immune-mediated diseases.

Muscle Disease Section

Andrew Mammen, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Andrew Mammen, the unit researches human muscle diseases, as well the basic biology of skeletal muscle regeneration.

Pediatric Translational Research Branch

Robert A. Colbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Robert Colbert, the branch studies Spondyloarthritis, particularly early-onset Ankylosing Spondylitis and spinal development in children.

Protein Expression Laboratory

Paul Wingfield, Ph.D.
Led by Paul Wingfield, Ph.D., the Protein Expression Laboratory supports NIH research projects by analyzing and providing HIV proteins to their researchers and scientists.

Systemic Autoimmunity Branch

Mariana J. Kaplan, M.D.
Led by Dr. Mariana Kaplan, the branch studies autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, seeking treatments and improved outcomes.

Vasculitis Translational Research Program

Peter Grayson, M.D., M.Sc.
Led by Dr. Peter Grayson, the program studies systemic vasculitis by evaluating patients with the disease through comprehensive research initiatives.

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Cutaneous Leukocyte Biology Section

Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, the section investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate immunological and structural homeostasis in the skin.

Cutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation Section

Heidi H. Kong, M.D., M.H.Sc.
Led by Heidi Kong, the section uses genomics to study the skin microbes in healthy individuals and patients with skin diseases and to expand our understanding of host-microbe interactions.

Lymphocyte Transcriptional Regulation Unit

Danielle Chisolm, Ph.D.
The Transcriptional Regulation of Lymphocytes Unit focuses on the mechanisms behind T Cell specification. We integrate several next-generation sequencing techniques, such as RNAseq, to look at differential gene expression and ATACseq, to investigate T cell specification at both the transcriptional and epigenetic levels.

Protein Expression Laboratory

Paul Wingfield, Ph.D.
Led by Paul Wingfield, Ph.D., the Protein Expression Laboratory supports NIH research projects by analyzing and providing HIV proteins to their researchers and scientists.

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit

Timothy Bhattacharyya, M.D.
Led by Dr. Timothy Bhattacharyya, the unit investigates orthopedic conditions, including femur fractures and hip infections, and related treatments.

Laboratory of Skin Biology

Maria I. Morasso, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Maria I. Morasso, the lab studies processes of epidermal differentiation, skin barrier formation and wound healing.

Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology

Naoko Mizuno, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Naoko Mizuno, the Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology aims to understand the molecular mechanisms governing specialized cell shapes, such as those of neurons, activated immune cells or platelets and certain cancer cells.

Lymphocyte Signaling Unit

Tasha A. Morrison, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Tasha Morrison, the Lymphocyte Signaling Unit studies molecular processes that control immune cell development and function.

Lymphocyte Transcriptional Regulation Unit

Danielle Chisolm, Ph.D.
The Transcriptional Regulation of Lymphocytes Unit focuses on the mechanisms behind T Cell specification. We integrate several next-generation sequencing techniques, such as RNAseq, to look at differential gene expression and ATACseq, to investigate T cell specification at both the transcriptional and epigenetic levels.

Muscle Energetics Laboratory

Brian Glancy, Ph.D.
The focus of Dr. Glancy’s muscle energetics research program is to determine how mitochondria are optimized within muscle cells to help maintain energy homeostasis during the large change in energy demand caused by muscle contraction.

Pediatric Translational Research Branch

Robert A. Colbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Robert Colbert, the branch studies Spondyloarthritis, particularly early-onset Ankylosing Spondylitis and spinal development in children.

Protein Expression Laboratory

Paul Wingfield, Ph.D.
Led by Paul Wingfield, Ph.D., the Protein Expression Laboratory supports NIH research projects by analyzing and providing HIV proteins to their researchers and scientists.

RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory

Markus Hafner, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Markus Hafner, the laboratory studies the makeup of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) involved in cellular RNA transport and control of RNA stability.

Systemic Autoimmunity Branch

Mariana J. Kaplan, M.D.
Led by Dr. Mariana Kaplan, the branch studies autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, seeking treatments and improved outcomes.

Molecular Pharmacology

Cutaneous Malignancies Unit

Natasha T. Hill, Ph.D.
The Cutaneous Malignancies Unit investigates the mechanisms and processes underlying skin cancers such as Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Muscle Biology

Juvenile Myositis Pathogenesis and Therapeutics Unit

Hanna Kim, M.S., M.D.
Led by Dr. Hanna Kim, this unit studies juvenile myositis, including juvenile dermatomyositis, by comprehensively evaluating patients to better understand disease pathogenesis and conducting early phase clinical trials to evaluate new treatments.

Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation

Vittorio Sartorelli, M.D.
Led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli, the lab studies mechanisms that regulate specification, differentiation, and regeneration of skeletal muscle cells.

Muscle Disease Section

Andrew Mammen, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Andrew Mammen, the unit researches human muscle diseases, as well the basic biology of skeletal muscle regeneration.

Neuroscience

Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology

Naoko Mizuno, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Naoko Mizuno, the Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology aims to understand the molecular mechanisms governing specialized cell shapes, such as those of neurons, activated immune cells or platelets and certain cancer cells.

RNA Biology

RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory

Markus Hafner, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Markus Hafner, the laboratory studies the makeup of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) involved in cellular RNA transport and control of RNA stability.

Skin Biology

Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section

Isaac Brownell, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Isaac Brownell, the Cutaneous Development and Carcinogenesis Section studies the signaling pathways such as Hedgehog signaling that regulate the development and maintenance of normal skin and the changes in these signals that occur during the formation of skin cancer

Cutaneous Leukocyte Biology Section

Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, the section investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate immunological and structural homeostasis in the skin.

Cutaneous Malignancies Unit

Natasha T. Hill, Ph.D.
The Cutaneous Malignancies Unit investigates the mechanisms and processes underlying skin cancers such as Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Cutaneous Microbiome and Inflammation Section

Heidi H. Kong, M.D., M.H.Sc.
Led by Heidi Kong, the section uses genomics to study the skin microbes in healthy individuals and patients with skin diseases and to expand our understanding of host-microbe interactions.

Dermatology Consultation Service

Edward W. Cowen, M.D., M.H.Sc.
The Dermatology Consultation Service at the NIH Clinical Center evaluates patients with a variety of rare diseases with cutaneous manifestations. In addition, patients who experience adverse reactions to experimental therapeutic agents or manifest unrelated skin conditions while at the NIH are evaluated and treated. Dermatology Branch clinical fellows, fellows from other NIH Institutes, and visiting dermatology residents from around the country receive training on the Dermatology consult service.

Laboratory of Skin Biology

Maria I. Morasso, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Maria I. Morasso, the lab studies processes of epidermal differentiation, skin barrier formation and wound healing.

Stem Cell Biology

Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit

Timothy Bhattacharyya, M.D.
Led by Dr. Timothy Bhattacharyya, the unit investigates orthopedic conditions, including femur fractures and hip infections, and related treatments.

Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation

Vittorio Sartorelli, M.D.
Led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli, the lab studies mechanisms that regulate specification, differentiation, and regeneration of skeletal muscle cells.

Pediatric Translational Research Branch

Robert A. Colbert, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Robert Colbert, the branch studies Spondyloarthritis, particularly early-onset Ankylosing Spondylitis and spinal development in children.

Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology

Naoko Mizuno, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Naoko Mizuno, the Laboratory of Structural Cell Biology aims to understand the molecular mechanisms governing specialized cell shapes, such as those of neurons, activated immune cells or platelets and certain cancer cells.

Systems Biology

Functional Immunogenomics Section

Luis M. Franco, M.D.
The Functional Immunogenomics Unit applies cutting-edge genomic technologies to the solution of medically important questions related to the immune system. A major focus is on the molecular dissection of the immunoregulatory effects of glucocorticoids

Muscle Energetics Laboratory

Brian Glancy, Ph.D.
The focus of Dr. Glancy’s muscle energetics research program is to determine how mitochondria are optimized within muscle cells to help maintain energy homeostasis during the large change in energy demand caused by muscle contraction.

RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory

Markus Hafner, Ph.D.
Led by Dr. Markus Hafner, the laboratory studies the makeup of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) involved in cellular RNA transport and control of RNA stability.

Systemic Autoimmunity Branch

Mariana J. Kaplan, M.D.
Led by Dr. Mariana Kaplan, the branch studies autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, seeking treatments and improved outcomes.

Virology

Cutaneous Leukocyte Biology Section

Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, M.D., Ph.D.
Led by Keisuke (Chris) Nagao, the section investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate immunological and structural homeostasis in the skin.

Protein Expression Laboratory

Paul Wingfield, Ph.D.
Led by Paul Wingfield, Ph.D., the Protein Expression Laboratory supports NIH research projects by analyzing and providing HIV proteins to their researchers and scientists.
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