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Virginia Byers Kraus

Mary Bernheim Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology
Duke Box 104775, Durham, NC 27701
300 N Duke St, Carmichael Building Room 15-205, Durham, NC 27701-2047

Overview


Virginia Byers Kraus, MD, PhD, is the Mary Bernheim Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of Pathology and a faculty member of the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute in the Duke University School of Medicine. She is a practicing Rheumatologist with over 30 years’ experience in translational musculoskeletal research focusing on osteoarthritis, the most common of all arthritides. She trained at Brown University (ScB 1979), Duke University (MD 1982, PhD 1993) and the Duke University School of Medicine (Residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Rheumatology). Her career has focused on elucidating osteoarthritis pathogenesis and translational research into the discovery and validation of biomarkers for early osteoarthritis detection, prediction of progression, monitoring of disease status, and facilitation of therapeutic developments. She is co-PI of the Foundation for NIH Biomarkers Consortium Osteoarthritis project. Trained as a molecular biologist and a Rheumatologist, she endeavors to study disease from bedside to bench.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Medicine · 2010 - Present Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology, Medicine
Mary Bernheim Distinguished Professor of Medicine · 2021 - Present Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology, Medicine
Professor of Pathology · 2010 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery · 2015 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments
Member of Duke Molecular Physiology Institute · 2013 - Present Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Institutes and Centers
Affiliate of the Duke Regeneration Center · 2021 - Present Duke Regeneration Center, Basic Science Departments

In the News


Published July 15, 2025
The Key to Regenerating Knee Cartilage May Be Found in the Ankle – and Salamanders
Published April 29, 2024
Hope for Knee Osteoarthritis: Detecting It Before It Causes Damage
Published January 27, 2023
New Blood Test is More Accurate in Identifying Osteoarthritis Progression

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Recent Publications


Plasma extracellular vesicle signatures of metabolic health and exercise response in a pilot study of older adults.

Journal Article Am J Physiol Cell Physiol · February 1, 2026 Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication and regulators of cellular function, yet their roles in metabolic health and exercise response are poorly understood. This pilot study analyzed plasma from older adults (n = 20) ... Full text Link to item Cite

Caloric restriction modifies small RNA profiles and engages age-related molecular pathways in the CALERIE trial.

Journal Article iScience · January 16, 2026 Caloric restriction (CR) extends lifespan and enhances healthspan across species. In humans, the CALERIE Phase 2 trial demonstrated that CR improves inflammation, cardiometabolic health, and molecular aging. To explore underlying mechanisms, we examined CR ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Dampened inflammation and reduced risk of osteoarthritis among non-industrialized societies.

Journal Article Osteoarthritis Cartilage · January 2026 OBJECTIVES: Anthropological research suggests that people in non-industrialized societies (hunter-gatherers, subsistence farmers, pastoralists) are at lower risk of osteoarthritis than people in industrialized societies. Here, we propose that this may be d ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Biomarkers to Advance Clinical Phenotypes of Low Back Pain (BACk)

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases · 2023 - 2028

Biopsychosocial Influence on Shoulder Pain

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases · 2023 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 1993 Ph.D.
Duke University · 1982 M.D.