Wesley Burks, MD

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Locations

• Duke Asthma, Allergy and Airway Center

Chief

Department / Division:
Pediatrics / Allergy and Immunology

Address:
DUMC 2644
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone:
919-668-4000

Office Telephone:
919-681-2949

Fax Telephone:
919-668-3750

• M.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1980

• Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1980-1983

• Allergy and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, 1983-1985

Clinical Interests:
Asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy and other childhood allergic diseases, special interest in anaphylaxis and food allergy

Research Interests:
Dr. Burks’ research is on the characterization of food allergens at the molecular level and on approaches to therapy. He is currently internationally recognized as one of the leaders in the world in research in the field of food hypersensitivity. The three areas of focus within his laboratory are to: (1) understand the mechanism of food allergy, (2) improve the diagnosis of food allergy in children, and (3) develop immune therapy for food allergy. Methodology of the laboratory includes in vitro lymphocyte proliferation, analysis of lymphocyte phenotypes, T cell cloning, specific immunoglobulin production, allergen identification, purification, allergen gene cloning and mutation of allergen genes. Studies ongoing currently include those in peanut, milk and egg allergy.  Animal models of peanut allergy have been developed in C3H/HeJ mice.  Studies with immune therapy in this mouse model are ongoing, with the goal being to develop a vaccine to prevent future peanut allergic reactions in already sensitized mice.