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Feng Gao

Professor Emeritus in Medicine
Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Box 102359 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
244 Sands Bldg, Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. Feng Gao is Professor of Medicine at Duke University. The Gao laboratory has a long-standing interest in elucidating the origins and evolution of human and simian inmmunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV), and in studying HIV/SIV gene function and pathogenic mechanisms from the evolutionary perspective. These studies have led to new strategies to better understand HIV origins,  biology, pathogenesis and drug resistance, and to design new AIDS vaccines.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor Emeritus in Medicine · 2020 - Present Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Medicine
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute · 2005 - Present Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published May 29, 2020
Duke Study: Evolution of COVID-19 Suggests That It Is Likely That More Human Coronaviruses Will Arise

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Recent Publications


Hyperlipidemia Triggers Trophoblast Cell Dysfunction and Preeclampsia via the AMPK/GATA3/FTL Pathway.

Journal Article Hypertension · July 2025 BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia, a severe pregnancy complication with an incompletely deciphered cause, is strongly associated with hyperlipidemia. Our previous studies demonstrated that FTL (ferritin light chain) expression was diminished in preeclampsia placent ... Full text Link to item Cite

Near extinction of the HBV quasispecies driven by the hard selective sweep in chronic hepatitis B.

Journal Article mBio · June 30, 2025 The viral quasispecies play an important role in pathogenesis. However, little is known about the nature of hepatitis B virus (HBV) quasispecies and its impact on the outcomes of chronic hepatitis B. Here, we characterized the bona fide quasispecies viral ... Full text Link to item Cite

Echinococcus granulosus-Induced Liver Damage Through Ferroptosis in Rat Model.

Journal Article Cells · February 22, 2025 (1) Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an Echinococcus granulosus-induced worldwide parasitic zoonosis and is a recognized public health and socio-economic concern. The liver is the major target organ for CE's infective form protoscolex (PSCs), whic ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Nonhuman Primate Core Virology Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine Research and Development - Base

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2024

EQAPOL - Years 2017 to 2024 - BASE

ResearchDirector · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2024

Dissection of polyreactivity and neutralization activity of HIV-1 Abs (R01)

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2016 - 2023

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Education, Training & Certifications


Harbin Medical University (China) · 1984 M.D.