Off the Top...

Durham Students Commit Early to Health Care Careers at Duke

The Durham Early College of Health Sciences is giving local students a direct pathway into health care careers, allowing them to earn a high school diploma and college credentials at no cost. Through a partnership between Durham Public Schools, Durham Tech, and Duke Health, the program connects students--starting as early as ninth grade--to hands‑on experiences and job opportunities in patient care and clinical research. For many families, it creates a clear route to stable, in‑demand careers. The program reflects a broader effort to grow local talent and strengthen the health care workforce in Durham and the surrounding region.

Career Commits

Federally Funded Research at Duke...

New Research Brings Joint Repair Closer for Millions With Osteoarthritis

A Duke‑led research team is moving closer to a new treatment for osteoarthritis that could help the body repair damaged joints instead of just managing pain. Affecting more than 32 million Americans, the condition often leads to chronic pain and joint replacement surgery, but this approach aims to restore cartilage and reduce damage at its source. Early results show the therapy could improve joint function and significantly reduce pain, raising the possibility of keeping patients active and independent longer. The team is now preparing for first‑in‑human trials, bringing a potential new option for millions living with osteoarthritis closer to reality.

This research was supported by ARPA-H.

Osteoarthritis Option

A New Way for the Body’s Own Cells to Fight Cancer

Duke researchers have developed a new approach that could make CAR‑T cell therapy easier to deliver and more widely available by creating the cancer‑fighting cells directly inside the body. This could reduce the time, cost, and complexity of current treatments, which require manufacturing cells outside the patient. By simplifying how these therapies are given, the method has the potential to expand access for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases. The work moves the field closer to more practical, scalable immune therapies that could reach many more people.

This research has been supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Cancer Fighting Cells

More from Duke...

Duke & UNC Researchers to co-lead $12.9M Study to Improve Care for Autistic Children

A new clinical trial co-led by Duke and UNC aims to improve care for autistic children with chronic digestive issues--a common condition that can significantly affect quality of life and is often not well addressed by current treatments. By testing new options and generating clearer, evidence‑based guidance, the research could help reduce hospital visits and improve daily care for children and families. The Duke and UNC partnership on this trial underscores the impact of the two institutions coming together to form NC Children’s, the state’s first freestanding children’s hospital.

Clinical Trial

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