Centers of Excellence
Specialized research programs uniting scientists and clinicians to translate autoimmune discoveries into clinical solutions. The Colton Consortium's Centers of Excellence accelerate progress toward new diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies.
Bridging discovery and real-world impact
Centers of Excellence are specialized research programs within the Colton Consortium, dedicated to translating autoimmune research into clinical impact. Each Center of Excellence brings together integrated teams of scientists and clinicians to address critical gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
What Our COEs Do:
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration between basic scientists, computational researchers, and clinical investigators
- Translate discoveries into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches grounded in mechanistic understanding
- Integrate innovative approaches, including artificial intelligence and precision medicine
- Address high-priority scientific challenges with potential for significant clinical impact
Focused programs driving autoimmune research
Center of Excellence for Cell Therapy in Autoimmunity (CECTA)
Advancing engineered CAR and CAAR T cell therapies across multiple autoimmune diseases through clinical trials, preclinical development, and industry partnerships.
High-Throughput Center for AutoImmune Therapeutic Discovery (HIT-AI)
Systematically identifying and validating repurposed FDA-approved drugs for over 160 autoimmune diseases using AI, knowledge graphs, and high-throughput experimental screening.
Colton Center for RNA Exploration in Autoimmune Therapeutics (CREATE)
Developing next-generation mRNA-LNP therapeutics that selectively modulate or deplete pathogenic immune cells to treat type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and other severe autoimmune conditions.
Latest from Centers of Excellence
Stay informed about developments, launches, and research advances from the Colton Consortium's Centers of Excellence.
Penn Colton Center Launches Two New Centers of Excellence to Fast-Track Autoimmune Treatments
The Penn Colton Center has launched two new Centers of Excellence — HIT-AI, focused on AI-driven drug repurposing, and CREATE, pioneering mRNA therapies — to accelerate next-generation autoimmune diagnostics and treatments.