Roberto Zayas, PhD, JD

Thesis Title:

Calcium Entry and Calcium-Mediated Mechanisms in the Slow-Channel Syndrome

Current Position:

Technology Intellectual Property Development Manager, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Former Position(s):

Associate Director, HHMI Inclusive Excellence Grant Program, St. Thomas University, MN.

Associate Director of STEM, Entrepreneurship, Faculty Advisor for Mayo Innovation Scholars, and Pre-Law Advisor; Piper Center for Vocational and Career
St. Olaf College

Founder of Maxscimize

Major Advisor:

Christopher M. Gomez

Selected Publications:

• Groshong JS, Spencer MJ, Bhattacharyya BJ, Kudryashova E, Vohra BP, Zayas R, Wollmann RL, Miller RJ, Gomez CM. Calpain activation impairs neuromuscular transmission in a mouse model of the slow-channel myasthenic syndrome. J Clin Invest. 2007 Oct;117(10):2903-12.
• Zayas R, Groshong J, Gomez C. Inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptors mediate activity-induced synaptic Ca2+ signals in muscle fibers and Ca2+ overload in slow-channel syndrome. Cell Calcium. 2007;41(4):343-52.
• Zayas R, Gomez C Macroscopic properties of spontaneous mutations in SCS: correlation by domain and disease severity. Synapse. 2006;60(6):441-449.
• Vohra B, Groshong J, Zayas R, Gomez C. Apoptotic pathways at muscle fiber synapses are circumscribed, non-lethal, and reversible”. Neurobiol Dis. 2006;23(2):462-70.
• Navedo MF, Lasalde-Dominicci JA, Báez-Pagán C, Díaz-Pérez L, Rojas L, Maselli RA., Staub J, Schott K, Zayas R, Gomez CM. Acetylcholine receptor mutations in slow-channel syndrome identify an M1 domain allosteric hinge. J Molec Cellul Neurosci. 2006;32(1-2):82-90.
• Navedo MF, Lasalde-Dominicci JA, Baez-Pagan CA, Diaz-Perez L, Rojas LV, Maselli RA, Staub J, Schott K, Zayas R, Gomez CM. Novel beta subunit mutation causes a slow-channel syndrome by enhancing activation and decreasing the rate of agonist dissociation.” Molec Cellul Neurosci. 2006;32(1-2):82-90.
• Gomez CM, Maselli RA, Groshong J, Zayas R, Wollmann RL, Cens T, Charnet P. Active calcium accumulation underlies severe weakness in a panel of mice with slow-channel syndrome. J Neurosci. 2002; 22(15): 6447-57.