Our research scientists have developed novel inhibitors that block assembly of different types of inflammasomes and inhibit the extracellular activity of ASC specks. This technology reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines and may be used to treat a wide range of inflammatory diseases and conditions mediated by excessive inflammasome activity. Additionally, there is a great need in the field to identify novel surrogate biomarkers that can help assess injury severity in patients with severe inflammatory diseases. Biomarker discovery is a fast growing field, and many candidate markers of injury have been identified, some of which being selective to the CNS. InflamaCORE has recently identified several inflammasome proteins that can help identify abnormal activation of the innate immune response that is believed to lead to downstream inflammasome processes and secondary injury mechanisms. Recent publications indicate that levels of circulating inflammasome proteins are correlated with disease severity in patients with Multiple Sclerosis, severe TBI, Stroke, Major Depressive Disorder and Acute Lung Injury. These new technologies in combination with the development of novel antibodies directed against inflammasome components represent a powerful approach to treat and evaluate innovative therapies targeting inflammatory diseases and conditions.