A nexus of science and clinical immunology: The Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies and the FOCIS Centers of Excellence

Abstract

The Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) exists to improve human health through immunology by fostering interdisciplinary approaches to both understanding and treating immune-based diseases. Initially established as a cross-disciplinary meeting in 2001 and now in its seventh year, FOCIS has 20 member societies and 16 affiliate societies, representing roughly 40,000 clinician scientists. FOCIS educational programs now include several courses, in addition to the annual meeting, which strive to teach the emerging new discipline of clinical and interventional immunology. The FOCIS Centers of Excellence community of 49 interdisciplinary translational immunology programs offers an effective training environment for translational researchers and clinicians by promoting interdisciplinary innovation in research and clinical practices, as well as promoting new links for researchers and clinicians. This network can also accelerate innovation in investigation and clinical practice by fostering the rapid exchange of information and encouraging collaboration. The FOCIS Center of Excellence series in Clinical Immunology will publish regular contributions from member centers highlighting a case study and using this as a springboard for a definitive Short Analytical Review of a topical issue in clinical immunology. We appreciate the strong support and encouragement of Drs. Andrew Saxon and George Tsokos in commissioning and supporting this series for Clinical Immunology. The Short Analytical Review contained herein from the University of Pittsburgh launches the first FOCIS Centers of Excellence contribution and relates to autoimmunity arising in the context of IL-2 administration. Scott Plevy from the University of North Carolina FCE will provide the next contribution on autoimmune colitis. And so it goes. The need for interdisciplinary cross talk among our clinical investigators and basic scientists as exemplified by these articles is profound and essential to understanding and effectively treating disorders of inflammation and immunity. In putting together this series, we reflect on the struggle to integrate the basic science of immunology with the clinical manifestations of disordered immunity, which mirrors the struggle within each of our patients challenged with the acute and chronic consequences of inflammation and immunity. Indeed, many of the major diseases in our clinics—whether autoimmunity, transplantation immunity, infectious diseases, cancer, allergy, immune deficiency, atherosclerosis, obesity, etc.—demand a robust appetite for information that crosses over many disciplines. As related by George Barnard Shaw (albeit in a different context): “A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, the one I feed the most.” We hope that the struggle we all engage in daily to deduce fundamental immunologic mechanisms will lead to better patient care and deeper insights within our academic communities. Do let us know your thoughts about this series and any topics you would be interested in hearing about. Information about FOCIS and its Centers of Excellence can be found at http://www.focisnet.org/index.php.