Michael J Duggan, DVM


Assistant Investigator
Trauma Research Laboratory, Mass General Research Institute
Instructor in Surgery
Harvard Medical School

Research Interests

abdominal injuries; blood coagulation disorders; botulinum toxins; endopeptidases; exsanguination; hemostatic techniques; hepatic veins; multiple trauma; neurotransmitter agents; plant lectins; plasma; resuscitation; shock, hemorrhagic

Research Narrative

The Trauma Research Laboratory, led by Dr. Haytham Kaafarani, was founded in 2005. The laboratory conducts 200 large animal and 400 small animal experiments per year. All the projects are approved by the Subcommittee on Research Animal Care (SRAC), ensuring the compliance with medical ethics. Funding for projects is provided through competitive grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH), The Office of Naval Research, The Department of Defense, The Center for Integration of Medicine with Innovative Technology (CIMIT), and other sources. The basic science research team includes surgeon scientists, PhDs, veterinarian, post-doctoral fellows, research fellows, students, and technicians. The laboratory is a state-of-the art facility that is capable of performing the full spectrum of research from large animal survival experiments to the sub-cellular mechanistic studies.
The Mass General Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care believes that translational research should target the early phase of injury. Although great strides have been made in treating the late consequences of trauma (sepsis, ARDS, organ failures), there is still relative lack of effective therapies and interventions at the prehospital and early in-hospital phase. At Mass General, our research targets critical aspects of early trauma care, focusing on clearly defined and achievable research goals.  We have assembled a team of individuals who are experts in this field and are capable of building upon the previous achievements. The major areas of basic research include:
  1. Development of better methods for early control of bleeding
  2. Improved resuscitation strategies, including pharmacological interventions to boost the intrinsic survival mechanisms
  3. Advancements in treatment of central nervous system injuries 
  4. Development of new devices and tools 
  5. Novel strategies for tissue preservation during and after severe shock 
  6. Transfer of new findings rapidly into clinical practice through clinical trials
  7. Innovative treatments for septic shock
  8. Identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of shock
  9. Development and validation of strategies for battlefield medicine
  10. Development and testing of shelf-stable blood products for pre-hospital use

The Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care is uniquely qualified to advance the care of the severely injured. Our team members bring together expertise in basic science research, execution of clinical trials, and delivery of excellent clinical care. Mass General and Harvard Medical School provides access to a research infrastructure, subject matter experts, and a patient population that is unique in the world.
For more information about the Trauma Research Laboratory, please contact Zilia Munguia at zmunguia@partners.org
MGH Trauma Research Laboratory Publications
mduggan2@mgh.harvard.edu
6176432440

Charles River Plaza East
165 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114