Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology
Office: 302C WIDB
Office Phone: 801-422-2353
Email: john_bell@byu.edu

Education

Ph.D. from University of California San Diego, Department of Pharmacology, studying the effects of tumor promotors in adenylate cyclase in mouse lymphoma cells. Post-doctoral work at the University of Virginia, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, studying the relationship of membrane structure to phospholipase A2 activity in artificial bilayers.

Research

At cell death, changes occur in the membrane, including phospholipid Aflip-flop@ and loss of membrane asymmetry, a phenomenon associated with apoptosis.  These and other changes in the cell membrane render it susceptible to damage by the enzyme phopholipase A2.  The focus of our laboratory is cell membrane structure at the molecular level and how that structure relates to the function of phospholipase A2.  Comparisons are made between normal cells, tumor cells and cells with various genetic defects.

Student Involvement/Requirements

Begins taking undergraduates in their sophomore or junior year.  Chem 105 or 111 series, basic biology, and a one year commitment are required.

Publications

Vest, R.S., Gonzales, L.J., Permann, S.A., Spencer, E., Hansen, L.D., Judd, A.M., Bell, J.D.,  "Divalent Cations Increase Lipid Order in Erythrocytes and Susceptibility to Secretory Phospholipase A2," Biophys. J., 86, 2251-2260 (2004).

 Wilson-Ashworth, H.A., Judd, A.M., Law, R.M., Freestone, B.D., Taylor, S., Mizukawa, M.K., Cromar, K.R., Sudweeks, S., Bell, J.D., "Formation of transient non-protein calcium pores by lysophospholipids in S49 Lymphoma cells," J. Membr. Biol., 200, 25-33 (2004).