This collection of readily reproducible molecular techniques and related in vitro/in vivo model systems can be used to explore the causes of autoimmunity, as well as how best it may be regulated. There are methods to assess immunological and biochemical pathways relevant for pathogenesis and to establish and assess a variety of autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, lupus, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, myocarditis, thyroiditis, scleroderma, uveitis, and vitiligo.