Amanda Dudek

Amanda Dudek is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Iowa, holding the Microbiology Endowed Scholar position. Her research focuses on pioneering gene editing technologies for therapeutic applications in HIV and genetic disorders using advanced molecular techniques.

Her educational background includes:

• BS in Microbiology from Colorado State University
• PhD in Virology from Harvard University
• Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University

Dr. Dudek's laboratory specializes in developing CRISPR-Cas9 and viral vector-based strategies for precise genome modification in human stem cells. Key research areas include engineering HIV-resistant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) through CCR5 knockout and antibody secretion, enhancing targeted integration efficiency via DNA repair pathway modulation (53BP1/DNA-PKcs inhibition), and correcting genetic mutations in diseases like cystic fibrosis. Her work bridges fundamental virology with translational therapeutic development, emphasizing clinical applicability of gene editing technologies.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a dominant focus on overcoming barriers in ex vivo gene therapy. She has established critical methodologies for HIV resistance in stem cells, optimized AAV vector systems for homologous recombination, and pioneered pan-mutation correction approaches for monogenic diseases. Her research consistently addresses translational challenges in primary cell editing efficiency and safety.

Dr. Dudek maintains an active laboratory in room 3-700 of the Bowen Science Building at the University of Iowa. Her collaborative work spans virology, immunology, and stem cell biology, with frequent partnerships on HIV gene therapy and genetic disease correction projects. She contributes to the department's research infrastructure through expertise in viral vector biology and genome editing applications.