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Richard Bucala, MD, Rheumatology, New Haven, CT

RichardJohnBucalaMDPhD

Rheumatology • New Haven, CT

Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) and Professor of Pathology and of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases); Chief, Rheumatology, Allergy, & Immunology, Yale University School of Medicine

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Summary

  • Richard Bucala, MD, PhD, is Chief, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology and the Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Endowed Professor of Medicine, Pathology, and Epidemiology & Public Health. He studies the regulation of the immune system with a focus on how protective responses can lead to immunopathology and disease. His laboratory’s main emphasis is MIF-family cytokines, their role in genetic susceptibility to disease, and their therapeutic targeting for different clinical conditions. The Bucala group is credited with the molecular cloning of MIF and discovery of its critical role in regulating glucocorticoid immunosuppression, which opened novel approaches to therapy in autoimmune inflammatory conditions. His lab also identified the MIF receptor and discovered common polymorphisms in the MIF gene, which show global population stratification. Depending on the nature of the immune or invasive provocation, variant MIF alleles protect from disease or contribute to immunopathology in autoimmunity and in different infections and chronic conditions. His laboratory developed biochips for application to genetic epidemiology studies of malaria and tuberculosis in resource-limited settings and his research is leading efforts to develop MIF-based therapies tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup. The laboratory has developed new therapies such as the anti-MIF antibody (Imalumab) and contributed to the FDA-approved anti-MIF receptor antibody (Milatuzumab). Research partnerships in structure-based drug design have led to novel small molecule MIF modulators for use in autoimmune, oncologic, and infectious diseases. The function of the MIF-like genes expressed by the parasites responsible for malaria, leishmaniasis, and helminthic infection also are under investigation. As these proteins were discovered to uniquely suppress immunologic memory, they offer new targets for vaccination against these infections.

Education & Training

  • New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus)
    New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus)Fellowship, Rheumatology, 1988 - 1991
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's HospitalResidency, Internal Medicine, 1986 - 1988
  • Weill Cornell Medicine
    Weill Cornell MedicineClass of 1986

Certifications & Licensure

  • CT State Medical License
    CT State Medical License 2002 - 2024
  • NY State Medical License
    NY State Medical License 1988 - 2002
  • American Board of Internal Medicine Rheumatology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • Elected Member The American Society for Clinical Investigation, 1996

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Mediates Metabolic Dysfunction Induced by Atypical Antipsychotic Therapy  
    Jia Li, Lawrence Young, Richard Bucala, The Journal of Clinical Investigation
  • Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Regulates U1‐snRNP Immune Complex Mediated Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome  
    Rossitza Lazova, Richard Bucala, Insoo Kang, Arthritis & Rheumatology

Press Mentions

  • An End to Malaria?
    An End to Malaria?August 22nd, 2022
  • Yale Team Creates Rheumatology Curriculum in Rwanda
    Yale Team Creates Rheumatology Curriculum in RwandaMay 2nd, 2023
  • Nobody Has My Condition But Me
    Nobody Has My Condition But MeJanuary 23rd, 2023
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Grant Support

  • Pilot ProjectsNational Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases2011
  • Innate And Adaptive Immune Mechanisms In ArthritisNational Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases2009–2011
  • Mechanisms Of Rheumatoid Synovial Fibroblast ActivationNational Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases2002–2011
  • MIF And The Host Response To InfectionNational Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases2002–2011
  • Innate And Adaptive Mechanisms In ArthritisNational Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases2004–2008
  • Suppression Of Erythropoiesis In Malaria InfectionNational Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases2004–2008
  • MIF And The Host Response To InfectionNational Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases1998–2001
  • MIF And Parasitic DiseasesNational Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases1994–1997

Professional Memberships

Dr. Richard Bucala, Dr. Richard Bucala, MD, Dr. R Bucala, Dr. Richard John Bucala