MERGE-INF is specifically designed to provide strong training in basic molecular and cellular immunology, the immunology of chronic diseases, as well as in-depth knowledge of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases including infections. We integrate clinical studies and patient contact throughout the training period.<br><br>The realization on the part of the scientific and medical communities that inflammation plays a role in many diseases, causing substantial morbidity and contributing to mortality, has fundamentally changed how we think about pathogenesis. Inflammation is directly involved in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, stroke and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, unipolar and bipolar depression, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Importantly, inflammation is involved in at least 8 of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States today. Given the prevalence of inflammation in the human population, it is clear that research in inflammatory disease and related mechanisms should be a major scientific and medical priority.