The ARGOs (Autoimmunity Research Group of Scientists) lab within EMR, led by Prof Michele Bombardieri (Professor of Immuno-Rheumatology), investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to breach of immunological tolerance and onset of autoimmunity and chronic inflammation in rheumatic autoimmune diseases, primarily Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their translation relevance. Within ARGOs Dr Elisa Corsiero and Dr Elena Pontarini (both Lecturers in Immunology) lead research subthemes in recombinant antibody technology and basic and translational research in SS, respectively. ARGOs published >75 peer-review manuscripts since 2016 and contributed to generate active research income of >£4.5M for the last 5 years including from MRC, Versus Arthritis, CRUK, EU-Horizon2020 and contract research.
A major research focus of ARGOs are ectopic lymphoid structures (ELS) forming in the target organ of autoimmune diseases but also infections, organ transplantation and cancer. Recent work, funded by CRUK, is also investigating ELS function within pancreatic cancer (PDAC).