Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and a variety of symptoms depending on the specific autoimmune disease. Examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. Research in the field of autoimmune diseases focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of these conditions, identifying potential triggers, developing new treatments and therapies, and improving diagnosis and management of these diseases. Scientists and researchers also work to understand the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases, as well as how to modulate the immune response to prevent the body from attacking itself.