Duke Center for Translational Research (DCTR)

The Duke Center for Translational Research in Emerging Infections and Biodefense grant from NIAID, funded July 1, 2002, was established to support the infrastructure to foster research in Emerging Infections and Biodefense at Duke, and to recruit new faculty members to Duke’s Center for Translational Research. The grant promotes the study of the human immune system in relation to infectious diseases such as HIV-1, poxviruses (smallpox, monkeypox), Ebola, SARS, and Anthrax in order to develop new therapies and safe and effective human vaccines. Developmental Core B, headed by Dr. John Hamilton, the Chief of Infectious Disease at Duke, focuses on the recruitment of new faculty and the training of existing faculty through Innovation Grants. The Proteomics Core C, led by Dr. Munir Alam, supports the use of specialized technology to study infectious pathogens and immune function. Some of the latest technology currently in use by the investigators includes Cytokine Protein Expression, Protein Interaction Analysis, Laser Capture Microdissection, Proteome Chip Assay, and Mass Spectrometry.

 

The Flow Cytometry Core D, led by Drs. John Whitesides and Kent Weinhold, created two facilities, a non-BSL-3 analysis and cell sorting facility and a non-BSL-3 flow cytometry analysis facility that also employs state-of-the-art technology to analyze infectious diseases and human vaccine responses. The Clinical Core E, headed by Dr. Richard Frothingham, aims to move transitional research in emerging infections and biodefense into clinical trials. One of the Core’s objectives to accomplish this goal is to set up a central tissue repository and inventory system to manage patient samples. The Core also supports the DHVI programs in International Research by working with the site staff training and protocol development with the Tropical Disease Research Centre in Ndola, Zambia, and the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Kibongoto National Tuberculosis Hospital, and KIWAKKAKUKI in Tanzania.

 

Through the support of the grant, investigators have made several important advancements in human vaccine development. In studying “Consensus Envelope and T-Cell Responses,” Dr. Feng Gao and Dr. Barton Haynes generated synthetic group M consensus env genes which induced a more cross reactive T-cell response than single subtype env immunogens. This discovery may lead to the development of more broadly effective HIV-1 vaccines. In their report titled, “Development of Consensus Genes and Immunogens for the induction of Broadly Reactive Neutralizing Antibodies,” Dr. Barton Haynes, Dr. Larry Liao, Dr. Munir Alam, Dr. Feng Gao also found that they might be able to overcome the problematic diversity of HIV-1 by using centralized HIV-1 genes in HIV immunogen design, using consensus, ancestor and center of tree computer models.

 

By re-evaluating existing anthrax vaccines, Dr. Herman Staats is in the process of developing therapeutic anti-Protective Antigen and Lethal Factor monoclonal antibodies that would boost the immune system of individuals exposed to anthrax. Dr. Richard Frothingham, Dr. Jae-Sung Yu, and Dr. Larry Liao have begun to express HIV-1 genes in the mycobacteria, M. smegmatis, in order to induce antibody and T-cell responses to HIV-1. Finally, Drs. Yu, Liao Richard Scearce and Haynes have made panels of anti-Ebola and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) monoclonal antibodies that are being used for diagnostics development for these agents.