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Michael Dee Gunn

Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Cardiology
Duke Box 102143, Durham, NC 27710
CARL Building Room 180B, Durham, NC 27703

Overview


The lab started with our discovery of the lymphoid chemokines, which regulate the migration of lymphocytes and dendritic cells to and within secondary lymphoid organs.  We identified the chemokine (CCL21) that mediates the entry of naïve T cells and activated dendritic cells into lymph nodes and the chemokine (CXCL13) that mediates the entry of B cells into lymphoid follicles.  Our focus then shifted to understanding how specific cell types, primarily dendritic cells, and cell migration events regulate immune responses.  We identified murine plasmacytoid dendritic cells; the cell type that causes pulmonary immune pathology during influenza infection; the dendritic cell type that stimulates Th1 immune responses; the cell type that induces neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease, and the macrophage type that stimulates pulmonary hypertension.  Our current work continues these basic studies while applying our findings to models of human disease. 

Current Research 

Development of recombinant antibodies as diagnostic reagents – Our lab has developed novel methods to generate recombinant single chain antibodies using phage display technology.  We are currently using these methods to generate pathogen-specific antibodies for use in diagnostic tests for a variety of human bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.  In collaboration with Duke Biomedical Engineering, we are deploying our antibodies in a novel diagnostic assay platform to develop point-of-care assays for the diagnosis of a variety of emerging pathogens.  Our recently developed point-of-care assay for Ebola virus displays a sensitivity superior to PCR at a fraction of the per assay cost.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Medicine · 2014 - Present Medicine, Cardiology, Medicine
Professor in Integrative Immunobiology · 2014 - Present Integrative Immunobiology, Basic Science Departments
Associate Professor in Pathology · 2014 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2018 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published April 21, 2020
Duke Experts Address Coronavirus Testing Issues
Published November 13, 2019
Duke Researchers Find Simpler, More Effective Cancer Vaccine Approach

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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

Clinical Neuroimmunology of CCL3 in Brain Tumors

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2024 - 2029

Determining the Role of Spp1+ Macrophages in Muscle Regeneration in Peripheral Arterial Disease

ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


UT Southwestern Medical School · 1983 M.D.