Dr. Ballas's clinical interests place major emphasis on the evaluation of immune dysfunction. In particular, he examines patients with possible abnormalities in distinct components of the immune system such as NK cells, CD8, CD4 or B lymphocytes as well as neutrophil deficiency. He is also interested in patients with impaired wound healing. Other clinical interests include allergic problems, drug reactions in particular, and the clinical use of biological response modifiers. Dr. Ballas's research examines the role of lymphokines in cell-mediated immune responses and transplantation, the role of killer cells in tumor immunity and the modulation of in vivo immune responses with particular emphasis on inflammatory and malignant disease. The research focus is placed on the role of NK cells in health and disease. This topic is explored in bench research endeavors, in translational research and in clinical research. Current research projects are as follows: 1) Augmentation of NK cell activity by CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and their use in tumor immunotherapy; 2) NK cell activity in alcoholism; 3) Clinical spectrum of patients with NK cell deficiency; 4) Assessment of immune function in patients with classical primary immunodeficiency; and 5) Assessment of non-classical immune disorder in children and adults including attenuated immunodeficiency.

Dr. Ballas established and directs the Cellular Immunology Diagnostic lab. This lab offers state-of-the-art examination of cellular immunity. He is the Director of the Flow Cytometry Facility which is a fee-for-service Carver College of Medicine Core Facility. Dr. Ballas is also a member of the Interdisciplinary Immunology Graduate Program and serves as Program Leader of the Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Program of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa.