James Richard Bartles, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
To Contact Dr. Bartles:
phone: 312-503-1545
e-mail: j-bartles@northwestern.edu
Dr. Bartles' website
Research Interests
Research in the laboratory of James Richard Bartles focuses on the espins,
a family of proteins associated with parallel actin bundles in a diverse group
of cellular structures that includes brush border microvilli, hair cell stereocilia,
neuronal dendritic spines, and intercellular junctions. They are using a combined
molecular genetic and biochemical approach to elucidate the structures and
functions of the different espin isoforms. Thus far, their results suggest
that espins mediate both actin polymerization and actin filament cross-linking
with the parallel actin bundle. Most recently Dr. Bartles’ lab has identified
a naturally occurring mutation in the espin gene – the jerker mutation
– that causes the degeneration of hair cell stereocilia, resulting in
hereditary deafness and vestibular dysfunction.