Richard Jude Samulski

Richard Jude Samulski, PhD, is a Professor of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and a founding member of the UNC Gene Therapy Center. As a gene therapy pioneer, he has dedicated over 30 years to advancing adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a safe, efficient viral vector for human gene therapy. His research focuses on AAV's molecular biology, including its site-specific integration into host DNA, with applications in treating genetic disorders like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

• Alumni Distinguished Professor
• Director, UNC Vector Core
• Co-founder of Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio)

Research Interests: Samulski's lab investigates the nonpathogenic AAV as a eukaryotic viral vector, developing packaging systems for foreign gene delivery, characterizing cis-acting sequences for DNA integration, and addressing immune response challenges in clinical applications. His work bridges basic virology and translational medicine.

Scientific Contributions: Led breakthrough research in AAV vector design, enabling long-term gene expression and inspiring clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Collaborations with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Pfizer brought experimental treatments to human trials.

Lab Members: His team includes postdocs, graduate researchers, and technicians working on AAV replication, integration, and clinical optimization. Key members: Lauriel Freya Earley (Post-Doc), Wenwei Shao (Post-Doc), Melisa Vance (Post-Doc Trainee), and Kenton Woodard (Graduate Research Assistant).