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David R. Sherwood

Professor of Biology
Biology
Duke Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708-1000
Box 90338, Department of Biology, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


The Sherwood lab is interested in understanding mechanisms that drive dynamic cellular behaviors underlying normal development and human disease. We study 1) How cells invade into tissues, 2) How stem cells interact with their niches, and 3) How cells control and interact with extracellular matrix. Our lab primarily examines C. elegans development, in which simple cellular complexity, amenability to genetics/genomics/transgenics/molecular perturbations, and evolutionary comparisons facilitates powerful insights. One particular emphasis of our work is live-cell imaging, where we watch cellular behaviors and cell-extracellular matrix interactions unfold in real-time to understand their regulation and function.  Cell invasion, stem cell regulation, and cell-matrix interactions are fundamental to development, regeneration, cancer, and aging.  Our work aims to advance our understanding of these fascinating processes and positively influence human health.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Biology · 2017 - Present Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Chair of the Department of Biology · 2018 - Present Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Professor in Cell Biology · 2016 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology · 2024 - Present Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2019 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers
Co-Director of the Duke Regeneration Center · 2021 - Present Duke Regeneration Center, Basic Science Departments

In the News


Published May 4, 2023
Creating a ‘Parts List’ for Cancer’s Spread, With Help From a Worm
Published March 22, 2022
Getting Fuel to an Invading Cell’s Front Line
Published July 14, 2020
Why Do You Study That? Worms

View All News

Recent Publications


A collagen IV fluorophore knock-in toolkit reveals trimer diversity in C. elegans basement membranes.

Journal Article The Journal of cell biology · June 2025 The type IV collagen triple helix, composed of three ⍺-chains, is a core basement membrane (BM) component that assembles into a network within BMs. Endogenous tagging of all ⍺-chains with genetically encoded fluorophores has remained elusive, limiting our ... Full text Cite

A career as a biologist-a lifelong morphogenetic process.

Journal Article Developmental biology · March 2025 How life emerged, how species diversify and interact, how cells work individually and collectively, and how a single cell gives rise to the trillions that constitute us all, are some of life's most profound questions. For the last 20 years, I've been a pro ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Elucidating a conserved adhesion system for connecting adjacent tissues

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Manchester · 2024 - 2032

The Duke Preparing Research scholars In bioMEdical sciences (PRIME): Cancer Research Program

ResearchPreceptor · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2023 - 2028

Duke Preparing Research Scholars in Biomedical Sciences- Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2022 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 1997 Ph.D.
Wesleyan University · 1990 B.A.