Jeffrey R. Moore

Jeffrey R. Moore is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell), part of the Kennedy College of Sciences. He serves as Co-Director of the UMOVE program and is affiliated with the Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology Program. His research focuses on molecular mechanics and cellular motility, particularly in cardiac muscle contraction, actin filament mechanics, and cytoskeletal dynamics. Moore employs advanced techniques like single-molecule fluorescence and laser trapping assays to study disease mechanisms linked to mutations in sarcomeric proteins, such as cardiomyopathies.

Education:

• Ph.D.: Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Vermont (2003)
• M.S.: Biological Sciences, UMass Lowell (1993)
• B.S.: Biological Sciences, University of Lowell (1991)

Research Interests:

Moore’s lab investigates the structural and mechanical basis of muscle contraction, focusing on how genetic mutations (e.g., in tropomyosin and myosin) disrupt cardiac function. Key areas include thin filament regulation via calcium/troponin systems, actin network mechanics, and cytoskeletal dynamics. Collaborations with institutions like Harvard’s Weitz Lab explore cytoskeletal rheology and cellular biophysics.

Grants & Awards:

No specific awards listed, but his work has been funded through collaborative projects and institutional support. Recent studies include investigations into hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy-linked mutations.

Labs & Teams:

Moore leads a lab focused on biophysical approaches to muscle function. His team employs techniques such as optical trapping, confocal microscopy, and in vitro motility assays to study molecular motor behavior and cytoskeletal interactions.