Rachelle Hope Crosbie

Rachelle Hope Crosbie is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology at UCLA's College of Letters and Science, with a joint appointment in Neurology. Her research program focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms of muscular dystrophies, particularly Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and developing therapeutic strategies targeting muscle cell stability and regeneration. She directs investigations into the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and extracellular matrix interactions using advanced omics approaches and transgenic models.

Her primary research examines:

• Dystrophin-associated proteins (especially sarcospan) in muscle membrane stability
• Extracellular matrix remodeling in muscular dystrophy pathology
• High-throughput screening for therapeutic compounds targeting muscle degeneration
• Stem cell-microenvironment interactions in muscle regeneration
• Matrix-mediated mechanotransduction pathways in dystrophic muscle

Recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on sarcospan's therapeutic potential, extracellular matrix engineering, and multi-omics approaches to muscle pathology. Her work shows consistent translation from basic mechanisms (cytoskeleton-matrix interactions) to preclinical applications (small molecule screens, antibody development). Collaborative projects extend into cardiac implications of matrix disorders and tissue engineering solutions.