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Leading The Way In "Alpha-gal" Meat Allergy Research

Leading The Way In “Alpha-gal” Meat Allergy Research

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Letter From the Director

Joanne M. Jordan, MD, MPH

Learn how Thurston scientists are helping the medical community better understand diseases such as meat allergy, lupus, and osteoarthritis in new ways, thanks to cutting edge research and important new insights.


Research News

Thurston Arthritis Research Center scientists shed new light on a specific mechanism involved with lupus

This research is the first to clearly identify and illuminate a specific mechanism of action involved in lupus. Funding from the Lupus Research Institute is helping pave the way for additional research, and TARC has begun enrolling patients for a clinical trial designed provide additional insights into this disease.


TARC Gains Additional International Prestige at European Health Symposium

Leading researcher provides valuable insights into causes and impact of physical inactivity.


Also in this Issue

Osteoarthritis Action Alliance: Raising Osteoarthritis as a National Health Priority, and Providing Resources for Patients

Under TARC’s leadership, the Alliance has doubled its membership and initiated a number of innovative programs and resources for patients and clinicians.


Thurston in the News

The People’s Pharmacy (NPR): “Could a tick bite make you allergic to burgers?” April 9, 2016

Dr. Maya Jerath was interviewed for the nationally syndicated radio program, “The People’s Pharmacy,” in which she explained that work with alpha-gal meat allergy might provide valuable insights into other food allergies.


The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC): “Tick bite leads to red-meat allergy in Chatham” March 28, 2016

The News & Observer ran a story on page one, which focused on alpha-gal and highlighted the important work being performed by UNC’s Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the UNC Allergy and Immunology Clinic. In the article, Drs. Jerath and Commins are quoted regarding the unique characteristics of the allergy.


WRAL-TV NBC (Raleigh, NC): “UNC researcher responsible for discovering allergy linked to tick bites” April 7, 2016

WRAL TV ran a segment on alpha-gal, in which it prominently featured an interview with Dr. Commins who explained the allergy and how it originates. The piece referenced both UNC and the Thurston Arthritis Research Center. Note: Dr. Maya Jerath was filmed for a similar story, which ran on WNCN TV (CBS).


Thurston Today

Editor: Bradd M. Pavur, APR, bradd_pavur@med.unc.edu