Research Overview
Our Multiple Sclerosis Research Program is focused on understanding the cause of MS and developing new treatments for this autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. These studies are based on the use of novel research methods called "combinatorial libraries."
A library is a collection of thousands to billions of potential drugs or vaccines. Studying immune function in MS patients by such methods is faster and more cost-effective compared to traditional drug discovery.
In addition, the mechanism of action of current MS treatments, such as Copaxone®, is under investigation with the aim of designing improved therapeutics. We also test combinatorial libraries in a number of biological systems, or "targets," to discover general immunomodulators that may lead to more effective drugs for the treatment of MS.
This research is funded by generous donations from the Combined Federal Campaign, the United Way and other workplace campaigns, Medical Research Charities, individual contributors, and by grants from the National Institutes of Health.