Texas Children's Hospital Center for Human Immuniobiology translates novel discoveries to effective clinical therapies

HOUSTON - (Oct. 17, 2013) - At a recent ribbon cutting ceremony, Texas Children's Hospital announced the opening of their Center for Human Immunobiology. The new, state-of-the-art center pairs world-class basic science immunologists with cutting-edge technologies and integrates them into a clinical setting. To learn more about Texas Children's Center for Human Immunobiology please visit texaschildrens.org.


"Today is an exciting day as we demonstrate our commitment to continuing research for the future," said Dr. Jordan Orange, chief of the immunology, allergy and rheumatology service at Texas Children's Hospital and director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Human Immunobiology. "Through advanced technologies, our team works to understand more deeply the functions of the human immune system thereby providing patients and families with the most current expertise."


The center will serve as a central hub for research throughout Texas Children's and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), enabling investigations and findings that will translate into high-impact biology and novel approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diseases. The lab space focuses on several key technologies including microscopy, flow cytometry, as well as molecular and genomic analysis. One of the technologies is the Leica Microsystems Gated Stimulation Emission Depletion (G-STED) microscope. In 2012, Texas Children's became the first institution in North America to acquire the microscope, which allows researchers to take never before seen, super-resolution photos below 40 nanometers within a cell.


"The consistent progress our team has had using this technology over the past year enables us to continue to follow the interactions taking place within live cells to better understand immune deficiencies in children," added Orange, also a professor of pediatrics, pathology and immunology at BCM.


Faculty and staff of the Center for Human Immunobiology includes expert clinicians in the field of immunotherapy, in addition to new scientists and scientific support staff. The team will integrate with existing clinical services to be able to advance new mechanistic understanding of the human immune system. The center will focus on all investigative areas in the context of human Immunobiology including primary immune deficiencies, HIV, pancreatic cancer and the basic activation and inhibition of immune cell responses.


"Our clinical and research faculty look forward to working closely together to translate our findings into new and innovative therapies for our patients," said Dr. Audrea Burns, administrative director of Texas Children's Center for Human Immunobiology and assistant director of regulatory affairs at BCM.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.