Adam Avery, Ph.D.

Research

My lab investigates the spectrin superfamily, with a specific focus on β-spectrin and α-actinin—proteins critical to cellular architecture whose mutations drive neurological and cardiac pathologies. By elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders, we aim to provide a critical framework for developing targeted therapeutic strategies.  In collaboration with the University of Minnesota, we utilize high-throughput screening to identify small molecule modulators to rescue mutant spectrin and actinin function.  Further, we leverage disease mutations as probes to uncover novel insights into the basic structure and function of the spectrin family.  We have a specific interest in the role of the spectrin cytoskeleton in dendritic arbor formation and maintenance, exploring how these proteins sustain neural connectivity.  We also utilize time-resolved FRET assays to achieve high-precision, quantitative monitoring of protein-protein interactions.  We integrate in vitro findings with live-cell imaging and genetic manipulation in Drosophila melanogaster.  Using the fruit fly as a model organism allows us to validate molecular interactions within the complex environment of an intact organism.  Our lab offers an excellent training environment for graduate and undergraduate students. Trainees are uniquely positioned to address complex biological questions across a vast scale—from single-molecule dynamics to whole-organism phenotypes.

Education and Research Experience

• 2012 – 2018 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
• 2006 – 2012 - Research Scientist, Originus, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI
• 2001 – 2006 - Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
• 1997 – 2001 - B.S. in Biochemistry, Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Honors and Awards

• 2016 – 2018 - Minnesota Muscle Training Program Fellow, University of Minnesota
• 2018 - Michael B. O'Connor Award, Outstanding Postdoc, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota
• 2014 - Post-doctoral Fellow, National Ataxia Foundation and Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center, University of Minnesota
• 2002-2005 - Pre-doctoral Fellow, Cellular Biotechnology Training Program, University of Michigan

Publications

1. Amanda L. Neisch, Adam W. Avery, Min-gang Li, Thomas S. Hays. Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein: mutations, tools and developmental functions. 2017. In King, S.M., ed. Dyneins: Structure, Biology and Disease. 2^nd
2. Adam W. Avery, Michael E. Fealey, Fengbin Wang, Albina Orlova, Andrew Thompson, David D. Thomas, Thomas S. Hays, Edward H. Egelman. Structural basis for high-affinity actin binding revealed by a β-III-spectrin SCA5 missense mutation. 2017. Nature Communications. PMID: 29116080.
3. Adam W. Avery, David. D. Thomas, Thomas. S. Hays. β-III-spectrin spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 mutation reveals a dominant cytoskeletal mechanism that underlies dendritic arborization. 2017. PNAS. PMID: 29078305
4. Adam W. Avery, Jonathan Crain, David D. Thomas, Thomas S. Hays. A human β-III-spectrin spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 mutation causes high-affinity F-actin binding. 2016. Scientific Reports. 6: 21375. PMID: 26883385
5. Amanda L. Neisch*, Adam W. Avery*, James B. Machamer, Min-gang Li, Thomas S. Hays Methods to identify and analyze gene products involved in neuronal intracellular transport using Drosophila. 2016. Methods in Cell Biology. 131: 277-309. PMID: 26794520 *Co-first authors.
6. Jennifer Taylor, Kwan-Ho Chung, Claudia Figueroa, Jonathan Zurawski, Heather M. Dickson, E. J. Brace, Adam W. Avery, David L. Turner and Anne B. Vojtek. The scaffold protein POSH regulates axon outgrowth. 2008. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 19(12): 5181-5192. PMID: 18829867
7. Adam W. Avery, Claudia Figueroa and Anne Vojtek. UNC-51-like kinase regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2/3. 2007. Cellular Signaling. 19(1): 177-184. PMID: 16887332
8. Kwan-Ho Chung, Christopher C. Hart, Sarmad Al-Bassam, Adam Avery, Jennifer Taylor, Paresh D. Patel, Anne B. Vojtek, and David L. Turner. Polycistronic RNA polymerase II expression vectors for RNA interference based on BIC/miR-155. 2006. Nucleic Acids Research. 34(7): e53. PMID: 16614444