Clinical Research Studies

The purpose of this research study is to look at the genes (DNA), white blood cells called leukocytes, and other specific markers in the blood of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus). Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system not only attacks bacteria and viruses, but also attacks your healthy cells and organs, affecting many parts of the body. Genes (DNA) determine how someone looks and function as well as whether a person may be at risk for developing a disease. Subjects who do not have lupus (unaffected controls) will also be asked to participate. The genes, white blood cells, and blood markers of unaffected controls will be compared to lupus subjects to find potential differences that may help us better understand what causes lupus. These differences may help us to develop therapies or find therapies that may work better for specific groups of patients with lupus. The study doctor and research staff are working with the biotech company, EMD Serono, on this study to better understand lupus and the types of drugs that might work better as treatments for lupus.