Bruce A. Bunnell, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
University of Alabama, Birmingham, 1990

Research Interests
Gene transfer/therapy, hematopoietic stem cells, lysosomal storage diseases, animal models and vector development

Academic Training:

• Ph.D. University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 1990
• Postdoctoral Research - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1990-1993
• Senior Staff Fellow - National Human Genome Research Inst., NIH 1993-1997
• Assistant Professor - Dept. of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus OH 1997-2002

Address:

Department of Pharmacology SL83, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699.
Telephone: (504) 988-3329; Fax: (504) 988-5283 ; Email: bbunnell@tulane.edu

Research Interests:

My research group is focused on the development of novel strategies to correct genetic disorders of the white blood cells and block HIV replication. We are presently focused on the development of novel gene therapy strategies for HIV infection targeting the white blood cells and/or the hematopoietic stem cells, which are the population of cells in the bone marrow that give rise to all other cell types of the blood stream. We have generated some very exciting data which demonstrates that genes designed to block SIV replication when delivered to the mature CD4+ cells can dramatically alter the course of viral infection in an animal model.

In addition, we are focused on the development of gene therapy strategies for the treatment of genetic diseases in the pediatric population. To this end, we are currently investigating technologies to effectively deliver therapeutic genes in utero to the developing fetus. The developing fetus may be a better candidate for gene therapy than the adult. Long-term and wide spread gene engraftment and expression may be more feasible in a fetus where stem cells or pluripotent progenitor cells are more accessible to the gene therapy vectors. Furthermore, the problem of immunologic response to the gene therapy vector and therapeutic gene may be avoided by delivery of the vectors at a time of fetal development prior to immune system becoming functional. My group is also developing gene therapy strategies to target correction of genetic disorders in the neonatal setting. Neonatal animals offer some of the same benefits as fetuses that may increase the likelihood of success for gene therapy. Neonatal animals have high levels of cell division and expansion in total cell numbers that could amplify the beneficial effects of the gene therapy. Neonates also have dampened immune responses to gene therapy vectors and therapeutic genes when compared to adults. It is hoped that by development of in utero and pediatric gene therapy strategies, we may be able to prevent entirely or dramatically slow the rate of progression of the genetic dysfunction.

Publications:

A Pubmed listing of Dr. Bunnell's research publications.

Funding:

NIH RO1 AI-47693-01, Bruce A. Bunnell, P.I.,20% effort. "Intramarrow gene transfer in neonatal rhesus monkeys". $287,540 annual direct costs, 6/1/00 - 3/30-04.

NIH R21, Edward Barker, P.I. Bruce A. Bunnell, Co-Investigator,10% effort. "De Novo induction of simian CTL using lentivirus vectors." $387,741 annual direct costs. 4/1/02-3/31/04.

NIH RO1-NS-39071-01, Thomas J. Sferra, P.I. Bruce A. Bunnell, Co-Investigator, 20% effort. "Gene therapy for lysosomal storage diseases." $250,000 annual direct costs. 6/1/00-3/30/04.

NIH F32 HL10430-01, John P. O'Rourke, P.I. Bruce A. Bunnell, Sponsor. "Vectors directing persistent myeloid specific gene expression." 8/1/00-7/30/03.

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This page was last updated on April 3, 2007.