The Centre for Rheumatology at UCL is one of the leading academic rheumatology units in the UK. As well as seeing around 3000 new patients and 15,000 follow ups annually, the centre undertakes an enormous amount of clinical and basic research aimed at increasing our understanding of the cause of musculoskeletal diseases and improving their management. The clinical component of the centre is based in the new UCH hospital. As well as providing our NHS 'basic' care, we also undertake wide-ranging clinical studies of patients with the autoimmune rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, myositis and vasculitis), osteoporosis, hypermobility syndromes, and chronic pain syndromes. We have particular strengths in disease assessment 'tools' and in developing and utilizing biological therapies. The centre has been assessed as the best training centre for clinical registrars among all the sub-specialities in London. The research component of the centre is based in laboratories part funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) in the Windeyer Building. Our laboratory based research focuses on the structure, function, origin and pathogenic consequences of autoantibodies; B and T cell regulation, lipid rafts and the molecular effects of statins. We hold an Oliver Bird PhD programme grant from the Nuffield Foundation, a program grant from the arc, several research fellowships (arc and Welcome Trust funded) and many projects grants. Its success can be judged by our total grant income being in excess of £9,000,000 in the past four years, and outside of its institutes, is the largest single centre beneficiary of arc funds in the UK (all achieved through competitive awards).