Birmingham Lab

Daniel Birmingham, PhD
Division of Nephrology
Department of Internal Medicine
The Ohio State University
335 Davis HLRI
473 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1252
Phone: (614) 688-3844
E-mail: birmingham-1@medctr.osu.edu

Current Research

Our research interests are on the genetics and biology of the complement system, and on the regulation and processing of immune complexes (IC) and IC-mediated inflammation and autoimmunity. Current efforts are focused on two major areas. First, we are studying the roles that complement proteins (eg. C1q, CR1), and Fc receptors (eg. FcgRIIa, FcgRIIIa) play as risk factors for, and predictors of, onset, manifestation and severity of the IC autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These investigations include assessing both genetic and acquired defects in these molecules in a cohort of 500 SLE families in studies that are part of an NIH-funded program project on SLE. Second, we are characterizing new members of a family of complement proteins known as the regulators of complement activation. This family includes proteins that may protect against IC-mediated inflammation as well as targeted tissue damage involving the complement system such as ischemic reperfusion injury.

Members of the Group

Daniel Birmingham, PhD, Associate Professor
Hui-Zi Chen,
Katie Gavit, Research Assistant
Fawzi Irshaid, Graduate Research Assistant
Scott McCarty,
Cindy Tong,