Our Research

Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) is on a mission to predict, prevent, reverse and cure immune system diseases. We study the cells and processes within the immune system, how and why immune system diseases start, and how to rebalance the immune system back to health. Our focus spans a wide variety of immune system diseases – including autoimmune diseases, asthma, allergy and cancer – with the goal of transforming our understanding of how to prevent and treat these conditions.

Collaboration defines our work. We build teams within our institute and with partners around the world to take on some of the most difficult questions in immunology. This approach moves us closer to our vision of a healthy immune system for everyone.

Our Centers of Discovery: A pipeline from lab research to life-changing care

BRI’s research is organized around four Centers of Discovery, allowing us to accelerate advances at every stage of our work. Our centers enable us to make discoveries in the lab and provide a foundation for new and innovative therapies. They also help us to take questions directly from the clinic — such as what makes a therapy work for one person and not another — back to our labs to find meaningful answers.

Fundamental Immunology

Examining cells, genes and molecules to better understand the immune system

Translational Immunology

Exploring how lab discoveries could become potential new therapies; studying how therapies alter the immune system

Interventional Immunology

Using clinical trials to test and refine new and more effective therapies

Systems Immunology

Analyzing large and complex data sets across all Centers to identify patterns and accelerate breakthroughs

Our Core Labs: Building and using the latest tools and technologies

Our Core Labs enable our scientists to build and use some of the most innovative tools in immunology that allow for advanced imaging, data sequencing and exploring the human genome. Each core is led by an expert in their field. Scientists across BRI and from other institutes can partner with these experts to leverage these tools and fuel discoveries in all areas of research.

Cell and Tissue Analysis

Analyzing, sorting, selecting and identifying cells with a variety of parameters. These tools are available to scientists within BRI and to those from other institutions.

Learn about our flow cytometry, imaging and histology cores

Genomics

Providing resources to study the structure and function of the human genome. This includes sequence analysis, from sample processing through data generation, and basic bioinformatics analysis.

Learn about our cutting edge genomics core