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The Duke University School of Medicine Office of Biomedical and Graduate Education (OBGE) and Precision Genomics Collaboratory awarded 8 pilot grants of $2,000 each to SOM Biomedical PhD students. The goal of these grants is to support our students in scientific and educational efforts to bolster their graduate training experiences. These awards will help further research in a broad array of topics including into diseases like breast cancer, glioblastoma, meningitis, and more. Funds will also go towards researching topics like gene and chromatin regulation and studying organoid models.

Lawrence David was among 25 recipients awarded 2022 Science Diversity Leadership Awards from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Bruce Donald and colleagues developed RESISTOR, an algorithm that uses protein structure-based computational design to predict how mutations in an enzyme will affect a drug’s efficacy. This technology could provide drug designers with insights to design better, more durable, proactive drugs.

Lawrence David, PhD, was among 25 recipients awarded 2022 Science Diversity Leadership Awards from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

People commonly associate heart attacks with clogged arteries, fatty diets, high cholesterol, and plaque buildup in the heart. And while all those things can cause sudden cardiac death, they are not the only culprit; gene mutations can also be to blame. Certain genetic variants can cause irregular heart rhythms, called arrythmias, and can affect how well the heart is able to pump blood to the rest of the body. Otherwise healthy individuals with these genetic variants can fall victim to arrythmias that are often fatal.

Duke researchers are using genome sequencing to analyze the genetic makeup of SARS-Cov-2 for specific mutations and variants. The relevant findings have guided Duke’s administration as they develop the University's COVID-19 policies.

Last week faculty and staff of the Duke Physician Assistant (PA) Program gathered to wish a fond farewell and happy retirement to two long-serving faculty members, Pat Dieter, MPA, PA-C, and Peggy Robinson, MS, MHS, PA-C.

Our applicants find their passion for the PA profession at a variety of life stages. Some know they want to be a PA or a health care professional as children. Others come to the profession after a decade in different careers. Many potential applicants learn about the profession while working on their undergraduate degrees. Last month, we discussed the possible advantages of taking a gap year after college to shore up your application. But what can you do while you’re still spending most of your time in class?

Second-year student Lily McWilliams, RDN, recently presented at the “Spotlight on Stomach Cancer Symposium” hosted by No Stomach for Cancer, an organization providing support to stomach cancer patients and their families.