The Center for Infection and Immunity is committed to global health through innovative research and training programs in infectious diseases.

In addition to establishing and implementing programs for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of acute outbreaks of infectious disease, Center for Infection and Immunity scientists investigate chronic diseases in which prenatal or early life exposure to infections or immunotoxins may be implicated, including premature birth, cerebral palsy, autism, AD/HD, obsessive compulsive disorders, schizophrenia, type I diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer. This work is pursued using animal models, genomic and proteomic tools, and unique databases and biological materials obtained from partners in a global network. In collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, we are investigating gene-environment-timing interactions in neurodevelopmental disorders and discovering biomarkers to enable early identification and treatment of children at risk for autism and related disorders. See: http://www.abc.columbia.edu.