Leading Immunology Researchers Join Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2002

Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies announced the expansion of its scientific staff with the addition of seven principal investigators specializing in a wide range of immunological research.

These scientists focus on treatments for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, lupus, aging-related conditions and transplant rejection.

Dr. Eli Sercarz will serve as Head of the Division of Immune Regulation. The twice-appointed Guggenheim Fellow completed his doctorate at Harvard University. He studies immune regulation and vaccine development for multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cancer.

The Division of Immune Regulation includes the following new investigators. Educated at the University of Tokyo, Dr. Akio Ametani studies pathogenic driver T cell behavior in arthritis, aging and multiple sclerosis. Dr. Todd Braciak completed his doctorate at McMaster University. He pursues development of immune therapy for prostate cancer. Claudia Raja Gabaglia, MD/PhD received her doctorates from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Her efforts focus on development of a gene therapy for Leishmania, a parasitic infection affecting populations in tropical and sub-tropical locales. Dr. Vipin Kumar completed his doctorate at the Indian Institute of Science. He studies immune regulation and the role of NK T cells in multiple sclerosis, arthritis and cancer.

Also recently joining Institute are Drs. Joanna Davies and Alessandra Franco, MD/PhD. Dr. Davies received her doctorate from Oxford University, and studies tolerance induction and transplant rejection. Dr. Franco was educated at The University of Rome. She investigates induction of cytotoxic T cell-mediated immune responses for prevention and treatment of tumors and chronic viral diseases.

These scientists are funded by grants from National Institutes of Health, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, California Cancer Research Project, U.S. Department of Defense, Diabetes National Research Group, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Multiple Sclerosis National Research Institute, Alzheimer's and Aging Research Center, and Infectious Disease Science Center.

"We welcome this talented and motivated group," said Dr. Richard Houghten, president of the Institute. "Their work has potential to result in treatments for leading causes of morbidity and mortality today."

Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies is a non-profit biomedical research institute dedicated to the discovery of causes, treatments and cures for leading types of diseases and afflictions including heart disease, cancer, AIDS, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, aging and pain. For more information on TPIMS or these areas of research, please visit our Web site at www.tpims.org.