The Visgauss Lab, located at the Duke Cancer Institute in Durham, NC, is led by Dr. Julia Visgauss, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Chief of the Orthopaedic Oncology Division. The lab is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of sarcoma, with a focus on metastatic progression and therapeutic innovation.

Research Focus

The Visgauss Lab investigates the biological mechanisms that drive aggressive behavior and metastasis in sarcoma. Using patient-derived tissues and cells, the team explores how these tumors spread and why they often lead to poor outcomes. The lab’s mission is to identify and develop novel therapies that improve survival for patients with advanced sarcoma.

Current projects include the evaluation of several promising drug candidates that have demonstrated significant success in preventing metastatic progression in preclinical models. These findings are laying the groundwork for future clinical trials.

Mentorship and Training

In addition to its research mission, the Visgauss Lab is committed to training the next generation of physician-scientists. Under Dr. Visgauss’s mentorship, students and trainees consistently earn national recognition, present at leading sarcoma research conferences, and go on to prestigious academic and clinical programs. Many alumni continue to pursue careers in sarcoma research and academic medicine.

About Dr. Julia Visgauss

Dr. Visgauss earned her Bachelor of Science from New York University, followed by a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University. She completed her residency in orthopaedic surgery at Duke University and pursued fellowship training in musculoskeletal oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada. Her clinical expertise includes resection of extremity and pelvic tumors, limb salvage surgery, and complex reconstructions using mega-prosthetics and custom implants.

The Visgauss Lab investigates the biological mechanisms that drive aggressive behavior and metastasis in sarcoma. Using patient-derived tissues and cells, the team explores how these tumors spread and why they often lead to poor outcomes. The lab’s mission is to identify and develop novel therapies that improve survival for patients with advanced sarcoma.

Current projects include the evaluation of several promising drug candidates that have demonstrated significant success in preventing metastatic progression in preclinical models. These findings are laying the groundwork for future clinical trials.

Projects include:

• Investigating the specific molecular mechanisms dysregulated in chondrosarcoma that result in metastatic progression and how these derangements affect cell behavior both in vitro and in vivo.
• Investigating how these cellular derangements can be exploited as potential therapeutic targets to prevent and treat metastatic disease.
• Investigating chondrosarcoma's immune landscape and how this may relate to disease progression and patient outcomes.

Meet the Visgauss Team

View the PubMed list for our latest research reports. 

Join the Visgauss Lab

Are you passionate about cancer research, orthopedic oncology, or translational science? The Visgauss Lab is always looking for motivated students, trainees, and collaborators who are eager to contribute to meaningful discoveries in sarcoma biology.

Why Join Us?

• 🧪 Learn advanced lab techniques in a supportive, hands-on environment
• 🔬 Contribute to cutting-edge research with real-world clinical impact
• 📢 Present your work at national and international conferences
• 📚 Publish in peer-reviewed journals and build a strong academic portfolio
• 🌱 Grow as a scientist under the mentorship of Dr. Julia Visgauss and a collaborative research team

If you're interested in joining the team, please reach out to julia.visgauss@duke.edu.

• Innovating Sarcoma Treatment: A Conversation with Julia Visgauss, MD. Read more.

• Dr. Julia Visgauss, MD, Keynote Speaker at Sarcoma Strong Foundation Gala: Advancing Research in Chondrosarcoma Metastasis. Read more.

• Announcing Dr. Julia D. Visgauss, MD, as Division Chief for Orthopaedic Oncology. Read more.

• Dr. Julia Visgauss Receives Prestigious AHA Funding for Groundbreaking Chondrosarcoma Research. Read more.

• Julia Visgauss, MD, FAAOS, Receives 2024 Sarcoma Strong Career Catalyst Award. Read more. 

The Visgauss Lab is at the forefront of research aimed at improving outcomes for patients with advanced sarcoma. With a focus on understanding metastatic progression and developing innovative therapies, the lab is actively evaluating promising drug candidates that have shown success in preclinical models—laying the foundation for future clinical trials.

Your gift directly supports this critical work, helping to accelerate discoveries that could transform care for patients facing aggressive and often life-threatening cancers.

Join us in advancing sarcoma research.

Click here to make a gift or pledge in support of the Visgauss Laboratory, or contact Brian French, Director of Development.

Thank you!