Marcus Bell, PhD | PCOM Biomedical Sciences Faculty
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MARCUS BELL, PHD
Professor of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology

Dr. Bell educates on topics of muscle physiology and neuroscience within several courses in the osteopathic medicine program and the graduate program in biomedical sciences. In these courses his goal is to break down difficult physical and biochemical concepts into paradigms that can be comprehended and remembered intuitively for future understanding the function of the body its response to disease and to osteopathic and pharmacological interventions. To help foster comprehensive educational approaches through deliberate, innovative curriculum design and delivery, as well as through supporting our students at all levels by means of appropriate resources, Dr. Bell serves on numerous committees involving student academic matters from admission through graduation. Dr. Bell also directs the Journal Club course for the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Research Concentration.

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson University
PhD, Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania
BS, Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania

Research

Dr. Bell's basic science research has been concentrated in two areas. 1) In his work with other researchers on the regulatory systems of cardiac and skeletal muscle, he hopes to elucidate the mechanism by which changes in intracellular calcium are translated into the varying rate and strength of the muscular contraction. The technique of time-resolved polarized fluorescence is used to measure motions of the regulatory proteins as calcium binds to activate the system. The rate and extent of regulatory protein movement is compared to the rate and extent of force generation. By combining results from fluorescent probes attached to several sites in the system, a broader understanding of the mechanism may be achieved. 2) In his collaborations with researchers focused on Alzheimer's Disease, Dr. Bell investigates the root causes of neuropathological cascades characteristic of the disease. Of particular interest are the roles of infections agents, such as C. pneumoniae, in evading the immune response even as they induce host cells to secrete compounds, such as abnormal amyloid beta protein, that ultimately lead to the death of neighboring cells in the brain.

Dr. Bell also collaborates in research focused on medical education, and is a member of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE).

Grants

Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (PCOM), 2012-2013. Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in blood samples: A diagnostic screen for Alzheimer’s disease. Role: Co-PI.

Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (PCOM), 2012-2013. Infection with Chlamydia Pneumoniae alters calcium-associated gene regulation and processes in neuronal cells and monocytes: Implications for Alzheimer’s disease. Role: PI.

NIH 5R01HL086838-04, 2008-2012. Determinants of Cardiac Thin Filament Regulation. Co-PI with Robert J. Barsotti, PCOM.

American Heart Grant-In-Aid, 2002-2004, Mechanism of Thin-Filament Based Control of Cardiac Muscle Contraction. Co-authored with Robert J. Barsotti, Thomas Jefferson University.

HHS SBIR Phase II, 1996-1998. Sucking Device for Feeding Of Low-Birthweight Infants. Co-authored with BioFlo, Inc., and KDL Medical Technologies, Inc., Philadelphia.

 

Other

Volunteer and Leadership Activities
  • Learning Resources Committee, 2014-present
  • Student Academic Policy & Progress Committee, 2013-present; chair, 2014-present.
  • DO Student Progress Evaluation Committee, 2013-present.
  • Biomedical Sciences Student Progress Evaluation Committee, 2012-present.
  • Program Director, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, 2012-present.
  • DO Admissions Committee, 2013-present.
  • Graduate Programs Admissions Committee, 2011-present.
  • DO Curriculum Committee (non-voting), 2011-present.
  • Graduate Programs Curriculum Committee, 2011-present.
  • Director, Biomedical MS Research Concentration, 2009-present.
  • Biological Imaging Facility, consultant for instrumentation and software, 2001-present.
  • The President’s Diversity Council, 2013-2014.
  • Middle States Accreditation, Educational Offerings Self-Study Committee, 2012-2014.
  • AOA-COCA Accreditation, Student Self-Study Committee, co-chair, 2011-2012.
  • Institutional Review Board, 2001-2003.

 

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