Basic and clinical research on rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases including exploration of pathogenic mechanisms. Development of biomarkers of cartilage turnover for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of therapy. A typical example of a biomarker characterized is cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Studies of therapeutic effects and side-effects of novel biological treatment modalities using registers and biochemical monitoring. Studies of efficacy and side-effects of vaccination of patients with autoimmune diseases.