About Us
Eliminating Autoimmune Diseases
Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) is an international leader in immune system and autoimmune disease research translating discoveries to real life applications. BRI is one of the few research institutes in the world dedicated to finding causes and cures to eliminate autoimmune diseases including Type 1 diabetes, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma and many others.
Autoimmune diseases strike one in 20 Americans. They occur when the body's immune system, designed to protect the body, attacks it instead. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. No tissue or organ is immune from them.
BRI is taking a unique approach to autoimmune diseases, one in which the patient's genetics and immune properties are evaluated, therapies are specifically selected for the patient and the patient's immunological response is carefully monitored. BRI's research aims to block autoimmunity - and to develop therapies to reverse disease - by redirecting faulty immune systems so they won't attack healthy tissues. Through this method, BRI expects to change the landscape of medical care options and bring therapies to patients to dramatically impove quality of life. Community support is essential to continue this crucial work of unlocking the immune system and conquering Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.
More Than 50 Years of Scientific Excellence
First established in 1956 as the Virginia Mason Research Center, the Institute developed a unique niche as a basic sciences research institute associated with a major medical center and a teaching program. Renamed in 2002 in recognition of the Benaroya family of Seattle, BRI now houses more than 200 scientific and administrative staff with a research volume of more than $24 million a year.
BRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to immunology and genetics-focused research, and actively collaborates with other leading research organizations to advance the treatment and cure of disease. The Institute is funded by grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Heart Association, and a variety of other national and regional foundations, as well as by individual philanthropic gifts.
Selected Scientific Achievements
Please read our annual report (PDF, 1.3 MB) for more information about how BRI research is important to you, or request a print copy.
View a one page,quick summary of BRI, called Fast Facts.
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