The primary research mission of the Center is to advance knowledge of environmental impacts on human health. The Center brings together a critical mass of researchers to investigate mechanisms of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, immune and autoimmune disorders, developmental defects, neurodegenerative diseases, genetic susceptibility, and the impacts that environmental factors have in causing or exacerbating these conditions. These studies will lead to new or better treatments, improved assessment of the actual risks caused by exposure to environmental agents, and more effective methods to detect and reduce the adverse health impacts of these agents on human health.