Benaroya Research Institute
The Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) is a leading organization in human immunology research, dedicated to predicting, preventing, reversing, and curing immune system diseases.
History of Benaroya Research Institute
The Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) began as the Virginia Mason Research Center in 1956, dedicating itself to medical research. In 1985, it evolved into BRI, placing a specialized emphasis on immunology. Since its inception, BRI has focused on advancing the understanding of the immune system to predict, prevent, reverse, and cure immune-related diseases.
Centers of Discovery at Benaroya Research Institute
BRI organizes its research efforts around four Centers of Discovery: Fundamental Immunology, Translational Immunology, Interventional Immunology, and Systems Immunology. The Center for Fundamental Immunology focuses on understanding immune system functioning in both health and disease. The Center for Translational Immunology examines blood and tissue samples from individuals with immune system diseases, aiming to uncover how these diseases start and progress. The Center for Interventional Immunology designs and conducts human clinical studies. Finally, the Center for Systems Immunology uses innovative approaches to generate and analyze high-dimensional data to explore human diseases and therapies.
Biorepositories and Core Laboratories at Benaroya Research Institute
BRI houses 11 biorepositories containing thousands of blood and tissue samples donated by people with immune-mediated diseases and healthy controls. These samples are crucial for advancing immunology research. BRI's Core Labs include the Cell and Tissue Analysis Group, Genomics Core, Human Immunophenotyping Core, and Tetramer Core, each specializing in different aspects of immunological research. The Tetramer Core Laboratory, notably, provides MHC class II tetramer reagents to collaborators within and outside BRI.
Clinical Research and Collaboration at Benaroya Research Institute
BRI oversees all clinical research at Virginia Mason Medical Center and BRI, conducting over 400 clinical studies. The institute collaborates with various research organizations, offering its technologies and materials to facilitate broader scientific advancements. A significant aspect of BRI’s collaborative efforts is the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN), funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which focuses on clinical research.
Funding and Grants at Benaroya Research Institute
BRI has received substantial funding to further its research endeavors. Among its notable grants is a $4.1 million award from the National Institutes of Health to study the function of regulatory T cells in maintaining immune system homeostasis. This funding enables BRI to continue its cutting-edge research into the mechanisms of the immune system and their implications for health and disease.