About
Dean R Madden, PhD serves as Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine. He holds significant leadership positions including Vice Provost for Research, Director of the Dartmouth Institute for Biomolecular Targeting, and Director of the Dartmouth Cystic Fibrosis Research Center (DartCF). His academic journey began with an A.B. in Physics from Harvard (1985) followed by a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Harvard (1992).
Dr. Madden's research focuses on understanding ion channels and transporters at the molecular level, particularly AMPA-receptor subfamily of glutamate receptors and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). His work bridges structural biology, biophysics, and translational medicine with applications in neurological disorders and cystic fibrosis treatment. He employs diverse methodologies including X-ray crystallography, NMR, fluorescence spectroscopy, and computational modeling.
His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding protein-ligand interactions, particularly in the context of PDZ domains and CFTR-related mechanisms. Recent work shows increasing focus on bacterial virulence factors in cystic fibrosis, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its Cif protein. His research integrates structural insights with physiological implications, creating a strong foundation for therapeutic development.
Dr. Madden actively mentors early-career faculty through the COBRE Institute for Biomolecular Targeting and leads GrantGPS, a college-wide initiative supporting faculty scholarship. He has served as Chair of the MCB Graduate Program and contributed to Dartmouth's Strategic Planning for Graduate Education and Geisel Curriculum Reform initiatives.
His laboratory maintains robust NIH funding from NIDDK, NIGMS, and NHLBI, with past support from NIAID and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As course director for BIOC101 (Molecular Information in Biological Systems), he continues to contribute to medical education while directing two major program-project grants.
