Duke Clinical Research

04/16/2026

From Breakthroughs to Hope

Duke scientists are shaping the future of genetic medicine, developing powerful new ways to treat rare diseases like Pompe disease and glycogen storage disorders. By advancing gene therapy and genome editing, this research moves us closer to longer‑lasting, life‑changing treatments for patients and families. 💙🔬

Learn more:
https://medschool.duke.edu/news/pioneering-next-generation-genetic-therapies

In 2006, Duke University School of Medicine researchers, led by YT Chen, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of pediatrics, secured the Food and Drug Administration’s approval for a breakthrough enzyme replacement therapy called Myozyme to treat Pompe disease. Pompe disease is a glycogen storage disease, ...

04/14/2026

Most research doesn’t “work.” 🤔
And that’s actually how progress happens.

A recent Duke study tested something that sounds like a no‑brainer: giving people with diabetes money each month to buy fruits and vegetables. The idea is part of a growing “Food is Medicine” movement, and hopes were high.

After a large, carefully designed study, the result was surprising: on average, people didn’t see improvements in blood sugar, weight, or blood pressure.

At first glance, that might feel disappointing. But this is where science gets interesting. Instead of stopping at “it failed,” the researchers dug into why.

What stood out wasn’t one single reason, but a mix of things: from how hard it is to identify who actually needs food support, to the fact that access alone doesn’t automatically change health outcomes. It also raised questions about whether programs like this need education, coaching, or even different settings to really make a difference. Even more importantly, those lessons are already shaping new studies.

This is something we don’t talk about enough. Research rarely delivers clean wins. More often, it asks questions, tests ideas, and tells us what doesn’t work first and that knowledge is what leads to better discoveries down the road.

So while this study didn’t deliver the outcome many hoped for, it did exactly what good science is meant to do: reduce guesswork, challenge assumptions, and point us toward better solutions.

Progress is rarely a straight line and that’s not a flaw. It’s the process.
https://medschool.duke.edu/news/duke-study-offers-new-clues-designing-better-produce-prescription-programs

04/13/2026

Research is about people...and their stories matter. 💙

Faces of Research highlights patients and survivors whose lives have been changed through discovery, innovation, and care at Duke.

Take a moment to meet the inspiring voices behind the science.🎧 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYZhPUaJyXIZqSypNTZp-ZEiqd5OD90Or

At Duke, research is about people. Faces of Research shares the stories of patients and survivors whose lives have been transformed through discovery, innovation, and care. These are the moments that make research real.

Meet the inspiring people featured in the Faces of Research podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYZhPUaJyXIZqSypNTZp-ZEiqd5OD90Or&si=rqfKDO1szKjOrNcG

Duke Health | Duke University School of Medicine | Duke Cancer Institute | Duke Children's

04/10/2026

No ticking away dull moments here. 🌙

Artemis II turns every second beyond Earth into discovery... driving clinical insights that matter back home. Teams across Duke are closely following the mission and what it may reveal about human health in deep space. 🚀🧬

https://today.duke.edu/2026/04/artemis-ii-mission-moon-challenges-and-opportunities

Artemis II Mission to the Moon: Challenges and Opportunities Three Duke experts discuss its impact on health, space tech and geopolitics Image Published April 6, 2026 Credits Fedor Kossakovski and Eric Ferreri; Graphic by Isabel Nunez University Communications and Marketing Tags Research Schools San...

04/09/2026

Taking a quick break from our research today to share this feel‑good story on CBS 17 about Duke students, puppies, and a local kindergarten. 🐾

Small actions add up...whether that’s helping a puppy become an assistance dog or joining a research study during your lunch break.
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/durham-county-news/duke-students-save-puppy-kindergarten-where-service-dogs-get-their-start/

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Duke University is known for its top-tier academics, cutting-edge research, and legendary basketball team, but if you ask students their favorite thing about Duke, a number of…

04/08/2026

NC ✅ | Science ✅ | Festival ✅ — we’re IN! 🧪🎉

The NC Science Festival is kicking off, and we’re proud to be part of a statewide celebration of curiosity, discovery, and innovation. Don’t miss the two Duke‑hosted events highlighting how science shows up locally and makes a difference statewide.👏

North Carolina, this one's for you. Let’s explore, learn, and celebrate science together! 🔬✨

🔗 North Carolina Science Festival
💙 Duke events: https://ncsciencefestival.org/events/?_s=duke

04/07/2026

🦵🦴New research from Duke Health brings joint repair closer to reality for millions living with osteoarthritis.

Led by Benjamin A. Alman, MD, Duke researchers have reached a major milestone in a federally funded effort to regenerate damaged joints — targeting the root causes of osteoarthritis rather than just managing pain. The work has met key preclinical goals and is moving closer to first‑in‑human clinical trials.

This progress could one day reduce the need for joint replacement surgery and help people stay active and mobile longer.

🔗 Read more: https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/new-research-brings-joint-repair-closer-millions-osteoarthritis

DURHAM, N.C. — Osteoarthritis affects more than 32 million Americans, making it one of the leading causes of chronic pain, disability, and loss of mobility in the United States.For many people, treatment options are limited to managing pain with medications or repeated injections, and in severe ca...

03/27/2026

The RESTORATION study: Combining rTMS & aerobic exercise to treat depression and improve post-stroke walking

The RESTORATION study is exploring new ways to help people with depression after a stroke.

Instead of using medicine, the study is testing whether regular aerobic exercise and a brain treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, might work better when used together. The goal is to find out if this combination can help people feel better and recover more fully.

To take part in this study, people must be between 21 and 70 years old. They must have had a stroke sometime in the past 1 to 5 years and show signs of depression based on standard tests. They also need to have some weakness or trouble moving in one or both legs but still be able to walk on their own at a slow to moderate pace. Participants must not be taking antidepressants, or if they are, their dose must have stayed the same for at least a month and their condition must be stable.

Compensation up to $600 for study-related time and travel.

For more information, contact the study team at StrokeResearch@duke.edu or (919) 660-4131.

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03/25/2026

⚡Adaptive deep brain stimulation offers real‑time adjustments that can help improve Parkinson’s symptoms. ⚡

Duke Health researchers are exploring this next‑generation approach to make treatment more responsive to each patient’s needs.

Duke Health offers adaptive deep brain stimulation (DBS) -- a new neurostimulation technology that constantly monitors brain activity and automatically adjusts DBS device settings to improve symptom control.

03/24/2026

Future nurse scientists start here ⭐🔬

Faculty at Duke University School of Nursing are leading innovative research and mentoring the next generation of scholars.

Associate Professors Michael Cary, Tolu Oyesanya, and Schenita Randolph—the first Black nurse scientists to earn tenure in Duke School of Nursing’s history—are each conducting transformative research:
• Dr. Cary leverages AI and machine learning to address aging‑related health disparities.
• Dr. Oyesanya advances research supporting patients with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers.
• Dr. Randolph confronts the root causes of health disparities affecting Black women, families, and communities.

With six #1 MSN specialty rankings and a #2 national ranking for its DNP program, DUSON continues to lead in graduate nursing education.
https://nursing.duke.edu/news/duke-nurse-scientists-inspire-future-leaders

Associate Professor Michael Cary, PhD, RN, FAAN; Associate Professor Tolu Oyesanya, PhD, RN; and Associate Professor Schenita Randolph, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN—the first Black nurse scientists at Duke University School of Nursing to be granted tenure in the School's history—have very different areas ...

03/23/2026

With March Madness Men's Basketball – we just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

We accept our Top Fan badge with the dignity of people who absolutely did not yell at the TV.

Meanwhile, congrats to High Point University Panthers who pulled off their first‑ever NCAA Tournament win and managed to outlast a few bigger NC programs this year.😇

If progress like that speaks to you, you can help move science forward by joining a study. https://duke-research.dukehealth.org/