Rachelle H. Crosbie-Watson, Ph.D.

Professor, Integrative Biology and Physiology

Neurology

Brain Research Institute

Education Liaison, Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Member, Cell & Developmental Biology GPB Home Area

JCCC Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program Area

Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology GPB Home Area

Biography

Dr. Crosbie-Watson has pioneered work on the function of sarcospan within the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Introduction of sarcospan into dystrophin-deficient mice ameliorates muscular dystrophy in a me. The Crosbie lab has generated all the molecular tools and reagents for the study of sarcospan, which are not available elsewhere. Building on expertise in sarcospan and the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, the Crosbie lab is collaborating with the Baum lab in development of HTS assays to detect alteration in sarcospan expression as a therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Dr. Crosbie has also collaborated with the Spencer group at UCLA to develop and characterize novel methodologies for creating mouse models of muscle disease. In addition to her research, Dr. Crosbie is a dedicated educator. She has trained several HHMI, Beckman, and Dean's undergraduate and graduate scholars. She successfully mentored a successful recipient of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship. This student was one of only thirteen students to be awarded the Marshall in UCLA?s history. Based on her excellence in classroom instruction, Dr. Crosbie was nominated for a Teaching Distinction Award at UCLA and she is Faculty Director of the Beckman Undergraduate Scholars Program.