Gary J. Bassell, PhD

Charles Howard Candler Professor, Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine

Chair, Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine

MyNCBI Bibliography Lab Website LinkedIn Profile

Graduate Programs

Full Member - Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology
Full Member - Genetics and Molecular Biology
Full Member - Neuroscience

Education

Postdoctoral, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1995
PhD, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 1992
BS, Framingham State University, 1985

Contact Information

Email: gary.bassell@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-3772

Address:
Whitehead Biomedical Research Building, Room 405E 615 Michael Street Atlanta, GA 30322 1941-001-1AF

The research interests of our laboratory are to understand the diverse and critical roles played by mRNA binding proteins and associated factors in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in the nervous system, and investigate how these processes go awry in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. We investigate the normal mechanism, function and regulation of mRNA binding proteins in mRNA transport and local protein synthesis needed for neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. We investigate pathomechanisms for Fragile X syndrome (FXS), related autism spectrum disorders, myotonic dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We are using mouse models of neurological diseases to assess the function of mRNA regulation and local protein synthesis in axon guidance, synapse development and neuronal signaling. Efforts are also underway to evaluate different therapeutic modalities in mouse models of neurological diseases and iPSC derived neurons and 3D organoids. Our research utilizes an integrated multi-disciplinary approach that involves cellular, molecular, biochemical, physiological, and behavioral methods and paradigms. These studies are expected to reveal new mechanisms important for neuronal development and function, and targeted approaches for therapeutic intervention that treat underlying molecular defects in SMA, Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.

Faculty Workshop - Having Culturally Sensitive Mentoring Conversations, 2022

Faculty Workshop - Having Culturally Sensitive Mentoring Conversations, 2020

Emory SOM Faculty Workshop - Implicit Bias, 2018

Diversity: Inclusion in the Modern Workplace, 2023

Psychological Safety and Conflict Management, 2023

Preventing Harassment & Discrimination for Advisers , 2023

Betty Bekele (she/her)

Neuroscience

Entrance Year: 2021

Topic: Molecular Mechanisms of CNS dysregulation in Myotonic Dystrophy (DM1)

Engila Khan (she/her)

Neuroscience

Entrance Year: 2024

Maxine Robinette

Neuroscience

Entrance Year: 2020

Kamyra Edokpolor

Neuroscience

PhD, 2022

"Altered behavioral responses show GABA sensitivity in Muscleblind-like 2 deficient mice: Implications for CNS symptoms in myotonic dystrophy"

Arielle Valdez-Sinon

Neuroscience

MD/PhD, 2022

"Regulation of Protein Synthesis and Stress Granule Dynamics in Neural Cells by CDH1-APC"

Penny Buelow

Neuroscience

PhD, 2021

"Impaired mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity may drive cortical hyperexcitability in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome"

Kun Lin

Neuroscience

MS, 2021

Phillip Price

Neuroscience

PhD, 2020

"Characterization of Motor Neuron-specific mRNA Processing Defects in Spinal Muscular Atrophy"

Nisha Raj

Neuroscience

PhD, 2019

"Role of FMRP in PI3K signaling in neurons"

Ian Chou

Neuroscience

PhD, 2017

"Identification of molecular mechanisms and suppressors of TDP-43 pathology "

Paul Donlin-Asp

Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology

PhD, 2017

"SMN functions as a chaperone for the assembly of mRNP transport complexes"

Kristen Thomas

Neuroscience

PhD, 2017

"Inhibition of the Schizophrenia-Associated MicroRNA MIR-137 Disrupts NRG1α Neurodevelopmental Signal Transduction"

Sharon Swanger

Neuroscience

PhD, 2012

"Bidirectional control of dendritic mRNA translation, glutamate reception expression, and synapse structure by the CPEB-associated polyadenylation machinery"