Scholars@Duke
Bruce Alan Sullenger

Bruce Alan Sullenger

Joseph W. and Dorothy W. Beard Distinguished Professor of Experimental Surgery
Surgery, Surgical Sciences
bruce.sullenger@duke.edu
Box 103035, Durham, NC 27710
DUMC 103035, Durham, NC 27710

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.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Joseph W. and Dorothy W. Beard Distinguished Professor of Experimental Surgery · 2003 - Present Surgery, Surgical Sciences, Surgery
Professor in Surgery · 2001 - Present Surgery, Surgical Sciences, Surgery
Director of the Duke Center for Translational Research · 2004 - Present Surgery, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology · 2012 - Present Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Basic Science Departments
Professor of Neurosurgery · 2019 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1994 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News

Published May 15, 2024
What Mosquitoes Can Teach Us About Safer Blood Thinning
Published June 30, 2023
Improvement to CRISPR Gene Editing Could Make It More Effective
Published December 11, 2018
Two From Duke Named To National Academy Of Inventors

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Recent Publications

Improving Aptamer Affinity and Determining Sequence-Activity Relationships via Motif-SELEX.

Journal Article J Am Chem Soc · March 19, 2025 The affinity of nucleic acid aptamers isolated in vitro via Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) is often limited because the entire potential sequence space cannot be screened. In this study, we introduce Motif-SELEX, a novel ... Full text Link to item Cite

Andexanet Alfa-Associated Heparin Resistance in Cardiac Surgery: Mechanism and In Vitro Perspectives.

Journal Article Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol · January 2025 BACKGROUND: Andexanet alfa (andexanet) is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved antidote for direct FXa (factor Xa) inhibitors but has been reported to cause resistance to unfractionated heparin (UFH). This has delayed anticoagulation for procedur ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants

Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) - NIAID

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2029

Duke Research Training Program in Surgical Oncology

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Project 3: RNA Aptamers as Probes and Regulators of Coagulation

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia · 2018 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications

Cornell University · 1990 Ph.D.