MUSC Lupus Erythematosus (M.U.S.C.L.E.) Research Group
Announcements | Newsletters | Informational Podcasts & Videos | Lupus FAQ | Support Group | Clinical Research Studies | Learn About Us | Please join us for the Sea Islands Community Celebration on Saturday January 21st! 
Researchers from MUSC will be sharing findings from studies of lupus, diabetes, dental health, and health disparities. Saturday, January 21st from 10 am to 2 pm -- lunch provided for those who register in advance. CLICK to download the Event Flyer with more details. | Thank you to everyone who helped make our 1st Annual Lupus Patient Education Event a success! The Lupus Patient Education Event on Saturday, October 15th, 9 am to 1 pm - was well-attended, with lots of great feedback from attendees, so we are already planning the 2012 Event! Make sure you are on our email list for updates (email us at lupusresearch@musc.edu to get on the list). Click Here for the October 2011 Itinerary Click Here for Photos from the Event If you did not have a chance to attend, email us at lupusresearch@musc.edu and we will be sure you are on the mailing list for next year's Event! For more information on this and other MUSCLE Group events, visit our MUSCLE Events Webpage | "Lupus: Listening and Learning Group" Next Meetings are: Saturday, Feb 11th, 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM and Monday, March 12th, 5:45 PM to 7:30 PM Will present the topic of "Learning from the Lupus Foundation of America Website." Lupus patients, family members, friends and supporters are all invited. Locations: Hampton Inn and Suites, North Charleston on Saturday and Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church on Monday Contact Alice Burress at 843-884-3949 for more information | Upcoming Lupus Webchats CLICK HERE to see what topics are coming up and to access transcripts of previous webchats. Sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of America. | Check Out the New Videos from the LFA on YouTube! CLICK HERE to search the video library, learn more about lupus and find out ways you can help bring greater attention and resources to lupus. | |
Check out the latest MUSCLE Newsletter: Download the Winter 2011 MUSCLE Newsletter Download the MUSC Pediatric Lupus Newsletter View Past Newsletters
Download Podcasts to learn more about lupus and meet our investigators: "Diagnosing Lupus" by Dr. Jim Oates "An Overview of Lupus" by Dr. Gary Gilkeson "Vitamin D Deficiency - Potential Environmental Factor in Lupus" by Dr. Diane Kamen "Pregnancy and Lupus" by Dr. Alan Brown "Lupus Research Projects and Clinical Trials at MUSC" by Dr. Jim Oates "Lupus: A Patient's Perspective" by Sheila Murphy "Lupus and Preventive Health" by Dr. Diane Kamen "Treatment Options for Lupus" by Dr. Jim Oates Watch the video "Understanding Lupus" by study participant Sheila Murphy and Dr. Diane Kamen
Lupus FAQ Check out Dx.Lupus for answers to your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about lupus
Lupus Support Group and Local Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America For information on the “Lupus: Listening and Learning Group” in Charleston, please contact Alice Burress at 843-884-3949 or check out the calendar of events website. Meetings are the 2nd Monday of every other month, from 5:45 to 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. All patients with lupus, family members, friends and supporters are invited!
Important Website Links to “Bookmark”! The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) 28 Below Foundation - dedicated to teenagers & young adults with lupus Our neighbor's website at the Piedmont Chapter of the LFA The Lupus Initiative - dedicated to improving disease recognition and management of lupus in patient populations disproportionately affected based on race, ethnicity, and gender. They also feature CME activities for healthcare providers. The LFA’s Center for Clinical Trials Education - for valuable information about participating in research MUSC Homepage for Clinical Research Studies at MUSC - for up-to-date listings of all the research studies available through MUSC, searchable by area of interest or by disease name
For questions about Lupus Research at MUSC or to join our mailing list, please send an email to: lupusresearch@musc.edu or call us at 1-866-859-6107 (toll-free) or 843-792-8997 (local to Charleston) A list of our currently enrolling Lupus Clinical Studies can be found on the MUSC Clinical Research website (CLICK HERE)
About Our Group The Medical University of South Carolina Lupus Erythematosus research group (also known as M.U.S.C.L.E.) is comprised of faculty and staff with interests in clinical, translational, and basic research related to lupus and community outreach to improve knowledge and awareness of lupus. The M.U.S.C.L.E. faculty principal investigators include clinician scientists Drs. Gary Gilkeson, Diane Kamen, Holly Mitchell, Jim Oates, Tasha Ruth, Hazel Breland, and basic scientists Tammy Nowling and John Zhang. Our clinical research effort includes investigator initiated observational and interventional studies and industry sponsored treatment trials for lupus. Our investigator initiated studies are administered through the Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) and focus on biomarkers of lupus and lupus nephritis disease activity, the impact of vitamin D and other environmental factors on autoimmune disease, biomarkers of atherosclerosis and bone health in lupus, oral health and lupus, and the role of stress in the lives of patients with lupus. Our industry sponsored trials are designed to test a variety of new therapies that are intended to be more targeted with fewer adverse effects compared to current therapies used for the treatment of lupus. Our basic and translational research efforts focus on the role of reactive intermediates in the pathogenesis and disease damage involved in lupus, the role of complement in lupus, and genes involved in the regulation of inflammatory processes in lupus. Please visit our individual faculty pages to learn about each member’s research interests. Patients interested in participating in research are invited to contact one of our study coordinators to learn more details about our research trials. Contact us at: 1-866-859-6107 (toll-free) or 843-792-8997 (local)or email us at
Pictured above: Back Row (L to R): Brittany Smalls, MHSA (Study Coordinator), Abby Powell (Study Coordinator), Gary S. Gilkeson, MD (Rheumatologist), LoriAnn Ueberroth, CCRC (Study Coordinator), Natasha Ruth, MD (Pediatric Rheumatologist), Jim C. Oates, MD (Rheumatologist), Diane L. Kamen, MD (Rheumatologist), Lee Moultrie (Community Research Associate). Middle Row (L to R): Barbara Roe (Study Coordinator), Hazel Breland, PhD (Epidemiologist), Liezl de la Cruz-Tracy, CCRC (Study Coordinator), Tammy Nowling, PhD (Research Scientist), Melissa Cunningham, MD PhD (Rheumatology Fellow). Front Row (L to R): Holly C. Mitchell, MD (Rheumatologist), Anna Meyer, PhD (Study Coordinator). NOT PICTURED: Stephanie Slan (Study Coordinator), Donna Grapstul (Study Coordinator), Maggie Harding (Study Coordinator). Top of page | 
