Dr. Kronenberg said these initial projects will investigate some of the most fundamental - and critical - questions of how genes affect immune system function. "We recognize the power and groundbreaking capabilities of this technology and will use it to advance scientific knowledge toward new and more effective vaccines as well as potential new therapies for autoimmune diseases ranging from type 1 diabetes to rheumatoid arthritis."

Three of the projects will be led by Dr. Kronenberg and Dr. Rao, along with scientists Sonia Sharma, Ph.D., and Matthew Pipkin, Ph.D., who work with Dr. Rao. Dr. Rao was recruited from Harvard Medical School last year to lead the La Jolla Institute's new Division of Signaling and Gene Expression, which will house the Center.

A fourth project will be led by David Nemazee, Ph.D., and Changchun Xiao, Ph.D., from the Scripps Research Institute. These investigators will analyze how microRNAs regulate B lymphocytes, white blood cells involved in producing antibodies, to either become tolerant of our bodies or make critical missteps leading to diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. "Dr. Nemazee and Dr. Xiao are outstanding scientists and we are pleased that they will be working with us in initiating the Center," said Dr. Kronenberg.

La Jolla Institute Chief Technology Officer Stephen Wilson, Ph.D., who helped craft the RNAi proposal, said establishing the RNAi Center will require specialized equipment, molecular libraries and instrumentation set up in a laboratory setting. But most of all, it will require significant expertise in designing and running the high-throughput screens. "Dr. Rao brings this expertise to the La Jolla Institute. She is among the best in the world at using the RNAi screening technology and her expertise will undoubtedly be a catalyst to exciting research with colleagues in San Diego and others around the nation interested in using this facility."

He added that he believes that the ability to perform genetic screens at a dedicated RNAi facility will have a major impact on the local scientific community. "Our Center will provide not only the necessary molecular libraries and instrumentation, but essential help and advice to investigators about screen design, which will undoubtedly lead to new collaborations and cross-disciplinary research," he said.

Source: La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology