The major themes of basic research are regulation of cell death in the immune system (Elkon), Jak-STAT signal transduction pathways (Ivashkiv), T cell signal transduction (King) and protein oxidation (Brot) in inflammation, lymphocyte activation (Crow, Kirou), dendritic cell function in immune responses (Ashany), and Fc receptor biology (Salmon and Pricop).

In the clinical area, the research of Drs. Paget, Lockshin, Sammaritano, and Kagen are focused on clinical aspects of giant cell arteritis, the anti-phospholipid syndrome and myositis. Drs. Lehman and Onel are pediatric rheumatologists who have studied models of vasculitis and the effects of cytotoxic therapy in children with autoimmune diseases.