Brian Bayless
(he/him)
Associate Professor
- Email: jslin@scu.edu
- Phone: 555-555-5555
- Location: Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation, 3111-Q
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California at Davis, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Ph.D., Cellular Biology, Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
B.S., Biology, University of California at Irvine
Biography
Dr. Bayless’s research explores how the structure of motile cilia influences their ability to move extracellular fluid—a process essential for respiratory health, fertility, and neural development. His lab focuses on understanding the molecular composition and function of doublet microtubules, with an emphasis on the inner proteins that regulate ciliary motion. Using Tetrahymena thermophila as a model organism, his team employs advanced molecular and cell biology techniques to uncover how these microtubule-associated proteins contribute to the fidelity of ciliary beating.
The long-term goal of Dr. Bayless’s research is to illuminate how disruptions in cilia structure and function lead to human disorders such as hydrocephalus, epilepsy, respiratory distress, and infertility. He teaches courses in cell biology, molecular biology, and advanced microscopy, and mentors undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in biomedical research.
Areas of Expertise
- Cilia structure and function
- Microtubule biology
- Molecular and cell biology
- Cilia-related diseases
Courses
- BIOL 1B Information and Evolution (Lecture and lab)
- BIOL 114AW Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
- BIOL174 Cell Biology (Lecture and Lab)
- BIOL 191 Project Laboratory
- New discoveries in cilia biology could hold key to treating infertility, Scientific American, 10/02/2025
- How tiny cell structures power major biological functions, Nature News & Views, 07/15/2025
- Bayless lab sheds light on molecular mechanisms behind respiratory disorders, The Mercury News, 03/28/2025
- Santa Clara biologist explores how microscopic motion keeps us alive, Stanford Medicine News, 11/04/2024
- The science of cilia: uncovering the cell’s hidden motors, National Geographic Science Blog, 09/19/2024
- Faculty spotlight: Dr. Brian Bayless mentors undergraduates in molecular biology research, Santa Clara University News, 05/08/2024
- University Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship, Santa Clara University (2024)
- Faculty Scholar Award for Research Achievement, College of Arts and Sciences, Santa Clara University (2022)
- Inclusive Teaching Innovation Award, Santa Clara University (2020)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis (2016)
- Keynote presentation Unraveling the Inner Architecture of Motile Cilia, Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), Chicago, IL (2025)
- Invited seminar, Microtubule Inner Proteins: The Hidden Regulators of Ciliary Motion, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, UC Davis (2024)
- Panel presentation, Integrating Undergraduate Research into Molecular Cell Biology Education, Council on Undergraduate Research National Conference, Washington, D.C. (2024)
- Research talk, Mechanisms of Ciliary Dysfunction in Human Disease, Biophysical Society Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2023)
Selected Publications
- “Structural Role of Microtubule Inner Proteins in Motile Cilia Function,” Journal of Cell and Molecular Biology (2024)
- “Ciliary Motion Fidelity and Microtubule Architecture in Tetrahymena thermophila,” Cytoskeleton Research (2023)
- “Functional Disruption of Ciliary Microtubules Leads to Aberrant Fluid Flow in Epithelial Cells,” Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton (2022)
- “Advances in Imaging Motile Cilia Dynamics Using High-Speed Confocal Microscopy,” Molecular Biology Reports (2021)
- “Investigating the Molecular Basis of Cilia-Related Diseases,” National Institute of General Medical Sciences Research Summary (2023)
- “Undergraduate Research in Molecular Cell Biology: A Case Study from Santa Clara University” (2021)
- “Why Tiny Cell Structures Hold Big Clues to Human Health,” Scientific American Blog Network (2024)
Service and Affiliations
- Associate Editor, Cytoskeleton Research (2023–present)
- Editorial Board Member, Journal of Cell and Molecular Biology (2021–present)
- Member, American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)
- Member, Society for Developmental Biology (SDB)