Mission Statement

To support translational mechanistic studies in human organ and tissue transplantation immunology.

Director

Joshua Miller, MD

joshuamiller@northwestern.edu

Overview

Sequential monitoring of the human immune system by studying the peripheral blood and even bone marrow and allograft (biopsy) compartments in tissue and organ transplantation had its origins in the 1970s. Ex vivo assays of T, B, NK and APC function have become much more sophisticated today and  include the detection and definition of unique cell subsets and intra- and extra- cellular molecules. Their defined function and inter-relationships  in human organ and tissue transplantation requires the use of technology based on in vitro immune cell assays, molecular  immunoassays, proteomics,  genomics and even humanized mouse models, i.e. cellular and molecular immunology that is in continuous evolution. For each of these investigative paths expertise has become more specialized needing dedicated faculty, pre- and post-doctoral fellows and technologists, as well as instrumentation and dedicated work space. The assessment of these needs currently and in the next few years includes:

Specific Laboratories

Histocompatibility Research Laboratory

Dr. Anat Tambur directs a clinical laboratory that supports the clinical organ and cellular transplant programs and that is also available to support clinical research studies. The laboratory is capable of a full spectrum of transplant immunology testing, including typing, crossmatch, antibody measurement, and chimerism analysis.

Cellular Immunology Laboratories including: 

Immunochemistry,  i.e. purification of immunoglobulins and other related phase reactant proteins, chemokines, etc.  

Humanized mouse tolerance and allo-immune models

SELECTED Equipment Available

12- and 5-color flow cytometers

Beta and Gamma counters

Luminex and ELISA plate readers

Automacs cell separators and cell sorters

Immune Monitoring Brochure