Chairman's Welcome

Welcome to the Department of Immunobiology & Cancer Immunology part of the Division of Basic Sciences at MUSC.

The immune system is a network of special cells, proteins, tissues and organs that can identify and kill disease causing microbes and tumor cells. The immune system thus provides an important mechanism of host defense, but disorders of the immune system result in disease. The study of the immune system (immunology) crosses the boundaries of multiple academic disciplines. At MUSC, immunology has been a significant component of the research being performed in various departments, including the departments of Medicine, Surgery, Pathology, Otolaryngology and Microbiology & Immunology. Immunology research strengths at MUSC include autoimmune disease, complement biology, gene therapy, cancer immunity, viral immunity, immunogenetics, hematopoieses, vaccine design and organ transplantation.

The DICI was established in 2010 to provide a hub for trainees who are interested in immunology, as well as to provide a collaborative center for faculty from other departments who have an interest in immunology. Our goal is to strengthen the existing immunology research at MUSC with a focus on cancer immunology, inflammation and immune tolerance. These research areas have direct relevance to the prevention and treatment of a variety of human diseases, and are in line with the mission of MUSC and the National Cancer Institute-designated Hollings Cancer Center. The Department aims to pursue its research goals in a multidisciplinary fashion with the aim of improving our knowledge of the fundamentals and molecular mechanisms involved in the immune response, while keeping the clinical translation of this research within our vision. Up to seven new faculty members are being actively recruited to fulfill our mission.

The DICI faculty strives to be highly interactive and interdisciplinary, and the department fosters a close interaction between basic and clinical science. The department also takes pride in providing a rich intellectual environment for predoctoral graduate and medical students, as well as for postdoctoral trainees (including clinical trainees). We are currently in the process of developing a campus-wide Immunology Training Program.

 Contact:

Samantha Lynn Cronin
Administrative Assistant to Dr. Zihai Li
Department of Immunobiology & Cancer Immunology
Division of Basic Sciences
Hollings Cancer Center
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
86 Jonathan Lucas Street
Charleston, South Carolina  29425-5040

office 843.792.5342 
fax 843.792.9588