The Alpha-1 Research Program was established at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida in 1998 by the Alpha-1 Foundation. The Program, under the direction of Mark L. Brantly, M.D., is devoted to the study of lung and liver disease associated with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency. Its resources and services are an important access point for the national and international medical and scientific communities and include:

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Detection Laboratory -- an International Reference Laboratory for alpha-1 antitrypsin levels and phenotype and genotype analysis. Multiple programs provide testing free of charge to patients throughout the world.

Alpha-1 Translational Research Laboratory -- devoted to characterizing the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of liver and lung disease in AAT Deficient individuals and to the development of new treatments.

Bronchoscopy Research Procedure Unit & Lung Cell Biology Laboratory -- enables clinical studies on the fundamental processes associated with lung injury in individuals with AAT Deficiency and determines the efficacy of new therapies.

Clinical Research -- Research in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is needed in order to better understand the disease, to understand what causes emphysema and/or liver disease in some people and not others with the condition, and to improve current treatments. Human subjects participating in research is crucial. The Alpha-1 Research Program has developed a team of scientists, nurses, and administrators to conduct a number of clinical trails and other research projects for individuals who have AAT Deficiency, their family members, and other eligible participants. The Alpha-1 Research Program may be involved in a number of clinical trials for investigational treatments for AAT Deficiency at any time. Please click here for a current listing of our clinical trials.

Alpha-1 Foundation DNA & Tissue Bank -- serves the international scientific community with the largest single disease collection of DNA and tissue samples for research studies. For more information click here or call 1-866-284-2708.

Alpha-1 Gene Therapy Program -- focuses on the development of safer and more efficient vehicles for the delivery of therapeutic genes to the liver, lung, and other tissues.

For more information on the programs and services of the University of Florida Alpha-1 Research Program or for a free test kit, call toll free 1-866-284-2708 or e-mail alpha1lab@medicine.ufl.edu.