Location

Jacksonville, Florida

Contact

Durvasula.Ravi@mayo.edu Clinical Profile

SUMMARY

The research conducted by Ravindra (Ravi) V. Durvasula, M.D., focuses on developing new therapeutics and strategies to control transmission of infectious diseases. As a Howard Hughes Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University, Dr. Durvasula developed a model system for expression of anti-trypanosomal molecules in the gut of the Chagas disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus. This work was funded by National Institutes of Health grants and has resulted in several additional lines of research into infectious diseases, including:

  • Paratransgenic control of sandfly-mediated leishmaniasis
  • Paratransgenic control of sharpshooter-mediated Pierce's disease
  • Paratransgenic control of Clostridium difficile infection in humans

These projects involve strategies for design, expression and characterization of recombinant molecules that can be used for control of disease transmission.

Dr. Durvasula has pioneered new classes of intrinsically fluorescent antibodies and a new strategy for in vitro ribosomal display; he holds several patents in this area. Over the past few years, the Durvasula lab has expanded its work into the field of molecular design and drug discovery. Several programs with international collaborators are underway to design and develop new therapies for parasitic diseases such as malaria and leishmaniasis and illnesses caused by emerging viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the Zika virus and the Ebola virus. His molecular design laboratory is also developing new antibody-based therapies for noninfectious conditions, such as chronic pain and post-stroke ischemia.

Focus areas

  • Control of arthropod-mediated transmission of parasitic and viral diseases such as trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and Zika
  • In silico modeling and synthesis of recombinant antibodies to target both infectious and noninfectious conditions such as chronic pain
  • In silico modeling and synthesis of drug candidates to target parasitic diseases and COVID-19
  • Development of environmentally friendly larvicides to reduce transmission of mosquito-borne diseases
  • Development of human paratransgenic strategies to modulate the gut microbiome

Significance to patient care

Dr. Durvasula's research aims to reduce the burden of parasitic and viral diseases on the global population by addressing both insect-mediated transmission and drug therapies for humans.

Professional highlights

  • Innovation Award, University of New Mexico, 2017
  • John W. Clarke Endowed Professor of Medicine, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, 2017
  • Elected president, Western Association of Physicians, 2015
  • Innovation Award, University of New Mexico, 2015
  • Chair, Global Infectious Diseases Study Section, Fogarty International Center, 2014
  • Elected member, American Society for Clinical Investigation, 2009
  • Physician Postdoctoral Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 1994

    PROFESSIONAL DETAILS

    Primary Appointment

    1. Consultant, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine

    Administrative Appointment

    1. Chair, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine

    Academic Rank

    1. Professor of Medicine

    EDUCATION

    1. Postdoctoral Fellowship Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine
    2. Fellowship - Infectious Diseases Yale University School of Medicine
    3. Postdoctoral Research Associate - Infectious Diseases Yale University School of Medicine
    4. Chief Resident - Internal Medicine Baylor College of Medicine
    5. Residency - Internal Medicine Baylor College of Medicine
    6. MD, CM McGill University
    7. BSc - Biology McGill University

    Clinical Studies

    Learn about clinical trials that address specific scientific questions about human health and disease.

    Explore all research studies at Mayo Clinic.

    Publications

    See the peer-reviewed findings I have published as a result of my research.

    Review publications.
    .
    BIO-20521871

    Mayo Clinic Footer