The human immune system is responsible for defending against bacterial, viral, and other pathogenic threats. It is multifaceted and complex, which makes it especially difficult to understand and target clinically.

Immune dysfunction can impact the body’s ability to fight disease by either becoming under-responsive or going into overdrive, causing the body harm. Once the immune system becomes ‘dysregulated’ the body can develop diseases like type 1 diabetes or sarcoidosis. Milken Institute SPARC has worked in lockstep with high-impact funders, developing giving strategies to support the researchers who seek to expand their understanding of these diseases and the patients and families who live with these conditions.