All blog items

New class of drugs may promise more specific cell-signaling with fewer side effects Duke University researchers have developed a synthetic molecule that selectively dampens the physiological rewards of cocaine in mice. It also may represent a new class of drugs that could be more specific with fewer side effects than current medications.

A team of scientists studying the origin of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, found that it was especially well-suited to jump from animals to humans by shapeshifting as it gained the ability to infect human cells.

Single OFF switch dampens response of dozens of pain-promotion centers A Duke University research team has found a small area of the brain in mice that can profoundly control the animals’ sense of pain.  Somewhat unexpectedly, this brain center turns pain off, not on. It’s also located in an area where few people would have thought to look for an anti-pain center, the amygdala, which is often considered the home of negative emotions and responses, like the fight or flight response and general anxiety.

Twelve faculty members in the Duke University School of Medicine have been awarded distinguished professorships. In total, Duke University awarded distinguished professors to 28 faculty members from eight Duke colleges and schools. Distinguished professorships are awarded to faculty who have demonstrated extraordinary scholarship in advancing science and improving human health.  The 2020 recipients from the School of Medicine are:

Julie Thacker, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, was selected as a member of the 2020-2021 class of fellows for the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) Program at Drexel University College of Medicine. ELAM is a prestigious year-long fellowship aimed at expanding the national pool of outstanding women candidates for leadership in academic medicine, dentistry, public health and pharmacy. Dr.

Capel Family Support Propels Promising New ALS Study When facing an illness such as ALS, one in which there currently is no proven treatment to stop or reverse it, patients often look to clinical trials for options for living longer and better lives.

Social mammals – from primates to yellow-bellied marmots, dolphins and more – can help us better understand the role social interactions play in health and mortality, not just within their own species but in humans as well.

The Office for Faculty is pleased to announce a new series of workshops on identifying strategies to manage periods of rapid change and uncertainty. Content will be geared toward School of Medicine faculty and will be broadly applicable to faculty in a wide range of settings across research, teaching, and clinical care. Each session will begin with a didactic presentation, followed by smaller and larger group discussions via breakouts. All sessions will be interactive and will be tailored to meet the needs of participants. Registration is requested.

SUPPORT OFFICE HOURS REDCap Office Hours   Email redcap-docr@duke.edu to schedule a virtual session at one of the times indicated below. Tuesdays 10 AM, virtual sessions Wednesdays 10 AM, virtual sessions Thursdays 2 PM, virtual sessions Fridays 10 AM, virtual sessions   SlicerDicer Office Hours Thursdays, 1 PM, via WebEx

Susanna Naggie, MD, has been named the new Vice Dean for Clinical Research for the Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Naggie will begin her service in this role, effective immediately. Dr. Naggie has served as Associate Dean for Clinical Research Initiatives and Regulatory Affairs in the School of Medicine since 2019.