Sean J. Pittock, M.D., is a Professor of Neurology and Director of the Neuroimmunology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Pittock has played a central role in Mayo Clinic’s studies of the first serological marker for a demyelinating disorder of the human central nervous system, NMO-IgG. His continuing analyses of the accompaniments of this important new antibody complement the clinical criteria proposed for NMO diagnosis. Furthermore, Dr. Pittock’s clinical, imaging, and serological correlative studies are providing the foundation for future investigation of the basic immunological mechanisms that cause NMO. His study entitled “Bench-to-Bedside Investigation of Aquaporin-4 Autoimmunity” is an individualized translational medicine approach aimed at the development of laboratory-based tools that can better diagnose and predict outcome in NMO. Dr. Pittock is also the principal investigator of an Alexion-funded open label trial of Eculizumab in NMO. In 2006, he set up the “Autoimmune Neurology Clinic” in the Division of MS and Autoimmune Neurology, which interacts closely with the Neuroimmunology Laboratory and has allowed the development of a unique translational practice extending the laboratory’s serological findings directly to the bedside. This new 21st century subspecialty addresses diagnosis and treatment of organ-specific autoimmune disorders that target the central and peripheral nervous systems.