Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease & Immunity

At the foundation of COE Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity is research. CIIDI's dedicated teams of highly trained investigators are working diligently to learn about, treat and cure human diseases.

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Clinical & Translational Research

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There is currently no effective cure.
  • Immunopathogenesis of HIV/HCV coinfection with a focus on the innate immune response
  • Basic immunologic mechanisms underlying EBV latency and EBV/HIV co-infection leading to tumorigenesis
  • Immune response and latency during HIV infection
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Hepatitis C (HCV)

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, sometimes leading to serious liver damage. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads through contaminated blood.

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Hepatitis B (HBV)

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For most people, hepatitis B is short term, also called acute, and lasts less than six months. But for others, the infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis — a condition that permanently scars the liver.
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COVID-19

The Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity (CIIDI) is leading the way in novel approaches to identifying the root causes of ongoing and newly developed symptoms of Long Covid.

Drug Discovery

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Drug Discovery and synthesis

Vaccine adjuvants augment and help guide immune responses to antigens, the vaccine components that elicit pathogen-specific immune responses.

The Drug Discovery and Synthesis Core focuses on developing innovative immune therapies, as well as the discovery of new and novel adjuvants for increasing vaccine effectiveness. 

Dr. David L. Williams is leading ETSU researchers in an international study which found that fungal sugars called mannans can boost vaccine effectiveness against respiratory viruses. 

 

BIOTECHNOLOGY

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Proteomics

A branch of biotechnology concerned with applying the techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics to analyzing the structure, function, and interactions of the proteins produced by the genes of a particular cell, tissue, or organism, with organizing the information in databases, and with applications of the data.

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Genomics

Genomics is branch of biotechnology concerned with applying the techniques of genetics and molecular biology to the genetic mapping and DNA sequencing of sets of genes or the complete genomes of selected organisms, with organizing the results in databases, and with applications of the data. 

Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9

Dr. John Yao is targeting specific HIV and HBV DNA that has no overlap with the human genome using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing drugs delivered by nanoparticles. Once in-vitro studies are concluded (with sig. p-value), this “discovery project” will assist in the development of a new nanocarrier for effective intracellular delivery and sustained release of CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP).

*If successful, project will provide a novel technology platform that may be used in combatting other emerging viral diseases.

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Trained Immunity

Trained immunity is a functional state of the innate immune response and is characterized by long-term epigenetic reprogramming of innate immune cells. This concept originated in the field of infectious diseases — training of innate immune cells, such as monocytes, macrophages and/or natural killer cells, by infection or vaccination enhances immune responses against microbial pathogens after restimulation. 
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Sepsis

Sepsis is a heterogenous disease state that can be divided into degrees of severity, typically sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. Patients suffering from the latter classifications are frequently on a ventilator and/or have altered mentation. 

We invesitigate: 

  • Cellular and molecular mechanisms of sepsis/septic shock
  • Innate immunity and myocardial dysfunction in sepsis
  • Innate immune recognition and the fungal cell wall

Collaborations

CIIDI/UTHSC - Clinical Trials

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The Clinical Research Office at CIIDI has joined UTHSC’s Clinical Trial Network (CTN2), a group that provides clinical trial opportunities to a consortium of university sites in TN.  Upon joining, we now have access to a multitude of clinical trials. If you feel capable of overseeing such clinical trials as a Principal Investigator/PI, our Center will provide the clinical trial infrastructure (coordinators, IRB review, etc.). We will start slowly by using only the ETSU outpatient clinics, and eventually utilize local inpatient facilities for future trial initiation. 

Principal investigators engaged in clinical research are challenged by competing needs. Through sponsor relationships, CTN2 works with the Clinical Research Office at CIIDI to procure the best available studies, drive recruitment, and ensure rapid start-up and profitability of trials. 

CIIDI Clinical trials offer hope for many people and an opportunity to help researchers find better treatments for others in the future.
  • What are the benefits of CIIDI Clinical Trials?
    • Multi-Site trials on a non-exclusive basis
    • Expertise in contracting, billing, and regulatory to ensure rapid start-up
    • Increased treatment options for patients
    • Contracting, Billing, and IRB services 
    • Tennessee Enterprise Data Warehouse (TN-EDW)
    • Streamlined contracting and budgeting via a Master Clinical Trial Agreement for rapid start-up
    • Clinical trial menu and enrollment status
    • Systematic tracking of study start-up and study metrics via CTMS 
    • Opportunity for faculty to become involved in clinical research trials at any level
    • Exposure to clinical research trials for trainees
    • Total support for the clinical trial conduct
    Benefits for physicians: 
    • Increased access to number and quality of clinical trials
    • Increased options available for local treatment
For more CTN2 info, please review:   

Frequently Asked Questions

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE9l2g-xiUw

UTHSC/ETSU "BIG"

 

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Biorepository and Integrative Genomics (BIG) Initiative

Read the Newsletter here: BIG Newsletter

Check out the Poster here: BIG Poster
  • Purpose: The goal of the BIG Initiative is to facilitate research in precision medicine relevant to clinical care across the state by developing resources to link and analyze genetic, health, and demographic data in these various populations. The BIG Initiative seeks to address the most-pressing health care needs in Tennessee, caring for vulnerable populations, eliminating health disparities, and engaging participating communities through innovative programs.
  • Process: Patients will be asked to participate in research and consent to one extra tube of blood to be drawn along with ordered lab tests. Participation in this research is always voluntary. If you wish to have your blood samples withdrawn, please contact us at (423) 439-4768.
  • Benefits: You will likely not benefit from this study, but the collection of your blood and medical data may contribute to studies leading to the improvement in health outcomes of others in the future.
  • Safety: Safeguards are in place on all participant health information. All samples are de-identified; no names, birthdays, or other patient information will ever be included. The federal government through the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act protects genetic information.
  • Risks: There is an inherent risk of bacterial infection, pain, and loss of consciousness during venipuncture in routine labs; the additional sample does not increase this risk. The greatest risk to you is the release of your private information. There is potential loss of confidentiality, since your de-identified medical record is shared with UTHSC.



Photo of Benjamin Pelton, RT(R), RMA Clinical Research Coordinator

Benjamin Pelton, RT(R), RMA

Clinical Research CoordinatorCenter of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity; BIG Initiative

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VA Science and Health Initiative to Combat Infectious and Emerging Life-Threatening Diseases (VA SHIELD) is a comprehensive, secure biorepository of specimens and associated data. These specimens and data are available to authorized VA investigators—and, under certain circumstances, to their external collaborators—to advance scientific understanding in support of developing diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative strategies for use in clinical care. 

ETSU RESEARCH CORPORATION

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