Faculty Profile

Robert H. Fairclough
Associate Professor of Neurology
Neurology (School of Medicine)
1515 Newton Court, Rm. 510C
Office 530-754-5005
Lab
rhfairclough@ucdavis.edu
[Picture of Robert H. Fairclough]
My lab studies the molecular mechanics of agonist induced channel activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. We are also mapping the surface domains of the acetylcholine receptor that stimulate the production of pathogenic antibodies in the disease myasthenia gravis.

Degrees:
1977 - PhD - Columbia University - Chemistry
1967 - BA - Yale University - Chemistry

Department and Center Affiliations:
Neurology
Molecular and Cellular Biology

Professional Societies:
Biophysical Society
AAAS

Grad Group Affiliations and Specialties:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biophysics

Publications:
Fairclough,RH; Twaddle,GM; Gudipati,E; Stone, RJS; Richman, DP; Burkwall,DA; and Josephs,R.. 1998. Mapping the mAb 383C Epitope to alpha2(187-199) of the Torpedo Acetylcholine Receptor on the Three-dimensional Model.. J Mol Biol. 282:301-315

Fairclough, RH; Twaddle, GM; Gudipati, E; Lin, MY; and Richman, DP.. 1998. Differential surface accessibility of alpha(187-199) in the Torpedo ACh receptor alpha-subunits.. J. Mol. Bio.. 282:317-330.

Fairclough, RH; Gudipati, E; Lin, MY; Twaddle, GM; Richman, DP; Burkwall, DA; and Josephs, R.. 1998. A role for alpha(187-199) in the conversion of agonist binding energy to the opening of the ACh receptor ion channel. . Ann. NY Acad. Sci.. 841:87-92

Research Interests:
Membrane protein structure: acetylcholine receptor and molecular gating mechanisms. Fluorescence spectroscopy, anomalous X-ray scattering, electron microscopic protein structure determination.

Teaching Interests:


Biochemistry and biophysics.

Courses Taught:
MCB 120L Biochemistry Lab - Term(s): Fall