The department has a strong research branch in immunology. Innate immunity and transplantation immunology currently form the focus of the Immunology scientists’ research efforts. Drs. Cook and Kielian are studying the innate immune response in specific microenvironments to specific foreign threats, including bone against tumors, central nervous system (CNS) against Staphylococcus aureus, and lung against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), respectively. Transplantation immunology is being undertaking in Dr. Talmadge’s laboratory, in which he is determining how the microenvironment and host immunity affects tumor progression and metastasis, and is utilizing this translational research to determine best interventional strategies and suppressive therapies for cancer patients.