The basic science research laboratories of the Department of Dermatology are located near the Duke Dermatology clinics. The area contains facilities for protein chemistry, immunology, recombinant DNA technology, and cell culture.

 

The laboratory of connective tissue is under the direction of Dr. Heather Yeowell. This laboratory is interested in the manner in which collagen synthesis is regulated in cells, regulation of collagen modifying enzymes, and the nature of collagen mutations in inherited connective tissue disorders.

 

The laboratory of Dermatoimmunology is under the direction of Dr. Russell Hall. This laboratory is interested in the pathophysiology and molecular biology of the blistering diseases including dermatitis herpetiformis, cicatricial pemphigoid, and bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus. Studies are currently underway characterizing the mucosal immune response in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis including the patterns of cytokine and inflammatory cell activation in the skin, gut and circulation that occur in response to ingestion of wheat protein. Dr. Hall's laboratory is also investigating the pathogenesis of the auto-immune blistering diseases bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris. These studies are directed at understand the antigenic specificity of auto-antibodies and correlation with clinical disease activity and understanding the role of B cells in the generation and maintenance of auto-antibodies. Mechanistic studies that are linked to clinical trials utilizing new therapies including rituxan and infliximab in the treatment of these diseases are ongoing.

 

Dr. Jennifer Zhang’s laboratory is directed at understanding the genetic regulation of epithelial proliferation in normal skin and in cancer. Dr. Zhang’s lab uses skin as a model system for organogenesis to study 1) genetic regulatory mechanisms involved in epithelial proliferation, 2) signaling networks in epidermal carcinogenesis.

Basic science research may be chosen as elective time. Residents who are interested in basic science careers are encouraged to pursue fellowships following a residency in Dermatology laboratories or other basic science laboratories at Duke University. Post-Doctoral research fellowships are available and interested individuals are encouraged to contact the individual investigator or the Department of Dermatology.