Bruce Sullenger

Joseph W. and Dorothy W. Beard Distinguished Professor of Experimental Surgery
Bruce Sullenger
Bruce Sullenger

Overview

The main focus of my translational research laboratory is to develop RNA based therapeutic agents for the potential treatment of a range of diseases. To this end, we have and will continue to take advantage of the fact that RNA is not just a passive carrier of genetic instructions inside of cells during the conversion of information from DNA to RNA to protein. Rather, RNA is an extremely versatile biological macromolecule. Certian RNAs can bind to specific protiens with high affinities, while others can for catalytic centers and perform enzymatic reactions. These facets of RNA coupled with the ease with which RNA can be manipulated in vitro make it a very powerful and unique therapeutic agent whose potential is largely untapped. Durring our endeavors, we plan to work closely with the members of the Molecular Therapeutics program as well as other faculty at the Duke University Medical Center to expedite the development and testing of these therapeutics.

The specific aims of my laboratory are:

1. To isolate and characterize RNA and DNA aptamers which block therapeutically relavent proteins such as those involved in cardiovascular diseases and immune modulation.

2. To develop RNA-based tumor targeting strategies for delivering siRNAs and miRNAs to tumor cells.

3. To reprogram cells using mRNA delivery.

4. To explore novel methods to control inflammation.

Positions

Joseph W. and Dorothy W. Beard Distinguished Professor of Experimental Surgery in the School of Medicine

2003 School of Medicine

Professor in Surgery in the School of Medicine

2001 School of Medicine

Director of the Duke Center for Translational Research in the School of Medicine

2004 School of Medicine

Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology in the School of Medicine

2012 School of Medicine

Professor of Neurosurgery in the School of Medicine

2019 School of Medicine

Professor of Cell Biology in the School of Medicine

2022 School of Medicine

Member of the Duke Cancer Institute in the School of Medicine

1994 School of Medicine

Education

Ph.D. 1990

1990 Cornell University

Publications, Grants & Awards

Offices & Contact

Box 103035
Durham, NC
27710
DUMC 103035
Durham, NC
27710