Brian Zuckerbraun, MD

Dr. Zuckerbraun's research interests are associated with his clinical interests in the biology of trauma and sepsis.  His laboratory focuses on mitochondrial and metabolic responses to these clinical conditions, and how these responses influence inflammation and immunity.   This includes changes in respiration as well as mitochondrial homeostatic responses such as autophagy and mitophagy.    One current project focuses on the role of succinate/succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in the regulation of immune responses and macrophage phenotype.  Dr. Zuckerbraun's lab is examining the role of the endogenous SDH inhibitor itaconite, which is produced by immune responsive gene-1 (IRG-1). This pathway can be harnessed for therapeutic benefit using pharmacological inhibitors of SDH.  Another longstanding area of interest in the Zuckerbraun lab has been the role of heme and heme oxygenase enzymes in the regulation of inflammation.  A current ongoing study is evaluating the role of heme as an endogenous innate immune receptor antigen released from erythrocytes during sepsis.  The lab is investigating how this influences platelet and endothelial biology in the setting of sepsis.  Dr. Zuckerbraun is an expert in the biology of carbon monoxide, a by-product in the breakdown of heme by heme oxygenases.  Dr. Zuckerbraun's lab utilizes several murine models of trauma and sepsis, as well as porcine models of trauma.  The group works with the Multidisciplinary Acute Care Research Organization to collect clinical samples from patients with trauma and sepsis to help translate basic science findings back to the clinical arena.  Dr. Zuckerbraun has actively been involved in the clinical and research training of surgery residents, medical students, and post-doctoral scientists.  He is committed to the training of the next generation of surgeon-scientists.