Sullenger, Bruce Alan

(919) 451-8921

bruce.sullenger@duke.edu

120 Serrano Way

Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Box 103035

Durham, NC 27710

Bruce Alan Sullenger

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

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

Professor in Surgery

Professor of Surgery

Director of the Duke Center for Translational Research

Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology

Professor of Neurosurgery

Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology

Professor of Neurosurgery

Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology

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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.