Neuroimmunology Research
Research in the Melamed lab seeks to understand how genetics, dietary factors and gut microbiome contribute toward the risk of development and progression of multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica and other autoimmune neurological conditions in males and females. Our work utilizes a broad range of approaches, ranging from molecular biology and immunology techniques to gene expression profiling in the central nervous system and immune system, microbiome sequencing, animal behavioral studies, and patient studies. The goal of our basic science and translational studies is to advance the individualized care for men and women living with autoimmune neurological conditions.
If you would like to learn more about our multiple sclerosis (MS) research and find out if you could qualify for participation, please fill out this interest form.
COVID-19 Research
There continues to be a lot of uncertainty about short term and long term health outcomes of COVID-19. 
In collaboration with scientists and clinicians at UT Austin, Dell Medical School and Seton hospitals, we are conducting an NIH and APH funded prospective longitudinal research study to understand COVID-19 immune and autoimmune responses in people across age, gender, ethnicity, and disease severity.
Participants will be part of a national effort to understand immune and autoimmune mechanisms of COVID-19 and long-term COVID-19 health outcomes, will receive a modest compensation, and can learn about their SARS-CoV-2 antibody status.