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.
Education and Training
- Ph.D., Cornell University, 1990
In the News
- Two From Duke Named To National Academy Of InventorsDecember 11, 2018
- Five Faculty Named Fellows of American Association for the Advancement of ScienceNovember 24, 2014
- From Bench to Bedside and BeyondJuly 8, 2014
Selected Grants
- Genetic and Genomics Training Grant
- NINDS Research Education Programs for Residents and Fellows in Neurosurgery
- Therapeutic strategies to improve function of high risk liver grafts
- Viral Oncology Training Grant
- Advanced Immunobiology Traning Program for Surgeons
- Duke Radiation Oncology and Radiology Stimulating Access to Research in Residency
- Engineering Polymers to Scavenge DAMPs in Arthritis and Lupus
- Reducing prostate cancer aggressiveness via aptamer-mediated nuclear delivery of splice-switching oligonucleotides
- Duke Resident Physician-Scientist Program- NIAID
- Duke Resident Physician-Scientist Program- NHLBI
- Medical Scientist Training Program
- University Training Program in Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering
- Utilizing Nucleic-Acid Scavengers to Ameliorate Inflammation-driven Metastatic Progression in Breast Cancer
- Regional Oncolytic Poliovirus Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer
- Vaccine Adjuvant Discovery Program
- Targeting DAMP-induced inflammation to prevent metastasis
- Targeting DAMP-induced inflammation to prevent metastasis
- POEGMA Conjugation of Aptamers
- Genetics Training Grant
- Organization and Function of Cellular Structure
- Cas9 RNP delivery to immune cells in vivo via molecular targeting
- Direct Detection and Characterization of Blood Clots In Vivo
- Project 3: RNA Aptamers as Probes and Regulators of Coagulation
- Antithrombotic Aptamers and Antidotes
- Aptamer-based Detection and Binding of Peptide-MHC
- APTAMER BEACONS FOR EPIGENETIC HIGH-THROUGHOUT ASSAY DEVELOPMENT
- Duke-UNC Clinical Hematology and Transfusion Research Career Development Program
- DTMI-Center for Thrombotic and Hemostatic Disorders
- Neutralizing Antibody & AAV VIX Gene Therapy
- Next-Generation Detection Reagents for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
- Studying Anticoagulant Synergy of Factor Xa Aptamer and Catalytic Site Inhibitors
- TRC-THD Administrative Coordinating Center (ACC)
- Aptamer Targeted Drug and Toxin Delivery to Prostate Cancer
- Targeting DNA Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Sickle Cell Disease
- Research Training In Neuro-Oncology
- Using Aptamer Coated Nanoparticles Encapsulating Prostate Tumor Antigen Encoding mRNA to Target Dendritic Cells In Vivo
- RNA Therapeutics for Pancreatic Cancer
- Anticoagulant Synergy of Factor Xa Aptamer and Catalytic Site Inhibitors: Mechanistic and Translational Studies
- In Vivo Selection of Tumor-Specific RNA Binding Motifs
- Regulation of inflammatory responses by nucleic-acid binding polymers
- RNA aptamers as cell surface receptor agonists and siRNA delivery agents
- Nucleic Acid Binding Polymers as Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- CTSA UL
- In Vivo Selection of Aptamers Targeting Pancreatic Cancer
- Research Training In Neuro-Oncology
- Development and Analysis of Aptamer-Antidote Pairs
- Enhancement of Thrombolysis through Inhibition of PAI-1 and Antiplasmin
- E2F-Mediated Control of Vascular Growth and Remodeling
- The Angiopoietins in Vascular Maintenance and Remodeling
- Analysis of Group I and II Introns in Mammalian Cells
- Development of Oligonucleotide-based CTLA-4 Inhibitors.
- Disrupting Viral Gene with Group II Introns
- Rna Ligands: E2f Function and Cell Proliferation
- Developing RNA-Mimotopes Of Hiv Antigens
- Ribozyme Mediated Repair of Sickle B-Globin Transcripts
- Trans-splicing by a Group I Ribozyme in Mammalial Cells.
- Probing expressed genome organization with ribozymes
- Ribozyme-Mediated Repair Of Sickle B-Globin Transcripts
- Trans Splicing By A Group I Ribozyme In Mammalian Cells
- Trans-Splicing By A Group I Ribozyme In Mammalian Cells