Rheumatology

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine faculty in the Section of Rheumatology are leaders in various clinical and basic science and translational research areas, including osteoarthritis, scleroderma, gout, spondyloarthritis, fibrosis, vasculopathy, and innate and adaptive autoimmunity. Their expertise includes such diagnostic and treatment methods as musculoskeletal ultrasound and other advanced imaging, biomechanics, and advanced epidemiologic methods.

The Arthritis & Autoimmune Diseases Research Center (AADRC), a partnership between the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and the Boston Medical Center (BMC), is internationally recognized for turning new scientific findings into new treatments for rheumatic diseases. A central focus is to unravel the complex nature of scleroderma and fibrosis. Research teams with expertise in vascular, immune, and connective tissue biology employ state-of-the-art techniques and unique mouse models to begin answering these questions.

Scleroderma, which literally means “hard skin,” is a rare and complex disease. Its consequences can range from relatively minor to catastrophic: localized scleroderma affects only the skin, while systemic forms attack the lungs, intestinal tract, blood vessels, kidneys, and other organs. Research is essential to finding effective treatment and, someday, a cure. BU’s Scleroderma Clinical Program is one of the world’s leading centers for that research and treatment.

“The reason scleroderma has been unsolved is its complexity,” says Professor Maria Trojanowska, director of the AADRC and a top scleroderma researcher. “It involves three major systems: the immune system, the vascular system, and the body’s fibrous connective tissue. At Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine our research in each of these areas is very strong.”

To learn how you can help, please contact the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Development team.

Donate to the Arthritis and Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease Gift Fund.

Learn more about BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s rheumatology research.