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Mark  Clarke

Mark Clarke, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Phone: 713.743.9854
Fax: 713.743.9860

Email: mclarke@uh.edu

Mailing Address:
3875 Holman St., Rm 104 Garrison
Houston, TX 77204-6015

Bio-Sketch

Dr. Clarke earned his MI (Biology) in Pharmacology and his Ph.D. in Cell Biology & Biochemistry from Manchester Metropolitan University in conjunction with The Patterson Institute for Cancer Research in Manchester, England. After graduating in 1991 he completed his post-doctoral training in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA and in the Department of Anatomy at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA.

He then joined the Life Sciences Directorate at NASA/Johnson Space Center as a National Research Council Research Fellow in the Muscle Research Laboratory followed by his appointment as a Senior Staff Scientist in the Division of Space Life Sciences with Universities Space Research Association at NASA/JSC from 1997 until 2002.

Since joining the faculty in 2002 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston, Dr. Clarke has taught graduate classes in the Philosophy of Science, Exercise Physiology and Advanced Muscle Physiology as well as being a founding member and Director of the Laboratory for Integrated Physiology (LIP). More recently, he developed a multi-disciplinary Master’s of Science degree in ‘Human Space Exploration Sciences’ that incorporates graduate training not only in space physiology but a integrated blend of bioengineering, architecture and advanced technologies as they apply to the unique challenges of extended human habitation and exploration of space. This degree program, delivered by a unique partnership comprising UH faculty, NASA-JSC Life Sciences Directorate and Wyle Life Sciences personnel was developed in response to NASA’s strategic plan for work-force development.

Since joining the faculty at the University of Houston, Professor Clarke  has served as Chair of the Graduate Research Committee in HHP, Chair of his colleges Graduate Studies Committee, Chair of the UH Senate Faculty Affairs Committee and most recently as President of the University of Houston Faculty Senate. After stepping down from the UH Faculty Senate he served as Chair of the UH System Intellectual Property Committee.

Research Interests

Muscle physiology, muscle adaptation to mechanical loading, cellular basis of muscle function in health and disease. (Note: Dr. Clarke currently serves as Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Faculty Affairs)

Recent Publications and Research Activity

Recently Funded Grant Proposals


NASA-NRA-Human Research Program (2011-2015) Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Microgravity on Salivary Markers of Innate Immunity. R. Simpson, Ph.D. (PI); M. S. F. Clarke, Ph.D. (Co-I); (Total Amount: $666,452).

NASA-NRA-Human Research Program (2011-2015) Modulation of Muscle Function by Lower Limb Loading during Long Duration Space Flight (W. Paloski, Ph.D. (PI); M.S.F. Clarke, Ph.D. (Co-I); (Total Amount: TBD on flight designation).

Joe W. King Orthopedic Institute (2009-2014) Clinical and translational methods and outcomes in orthopedic surgery. D.P. O’Connor, Ph.D. (PI); M. S. F. Clarke, Ph.D. (Co-I); (Total Amount: $804,000).

OsteoSphere, Inc. (2010-2011) "Generation and Characterization of Demineralized OsteoSphere Material" (M.S.F. Clarke, Ph.D. (PI) (Total Amount: $44,000).

NASA-NRA-HRP 2007 “Monitoring of Biomarkers of Bone Loss in Human Sweat – a non-invasive, time efficient means of monitoring bone resorption markers under micro and partial gravity loading conditions. (Clarke, M.S.F.: Role in the Project Ph.D. (PI); D.P. O’Connor, Ph.D. (Co-I). (Total Amount: $719,200).

NIA/NIH R03 Program “TLR4 Signaling: A Link between Obesity and Chronic Inflammation.” (McFarlin B.K., Jackson, A.S., Clarke, M.S.F. and Bray, M.S.; Role in Project: Co-Investigator) (Total Amount: $150,000)

NASA-Johnson Space Center Research Grant Program “Development and Characterization of a Three-Dimensional Tissue Culture Model of Bone” (Clarke, M.S.F.; Role in Project: Principal Investigator) (2004-2006) (Total Amount - $94,932).



Recently Submitted Journal Articles


Clarke, M.S.F., Sundaresan, A and Pellis, N.R. (2012) In Vitro Generation of A Human Bone Analog Using Rotational Co-Culture Of Human Primary Osteoblast And Osteoclast Cells. JMNI (in review).

Vanderburg, C.R. and Clarke, M.S.F. (2012) “Laser Capture Micro-dissection of Metachromatically Stained Skeletal Muscle Allows Quantification of Fiber Type Specific Gene and Protein Expression.” Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (in review).

Clarke, M.S.F., Vanderburg, C.R. and Feeback, D.L. (2012) Modulation of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Cholesterol Content During Unloading-Induced Atrophy. Am. J. Physiol.(in review).



Published Refereed Journal Articles


Knobluach, M.A., O’Connor, D.P. and Clarke, M.S.F. (2012) Obese mice incur greater myofiber membrane disruption in response to mechanical load compared to lean mice. Obesity (in press).

Lee SM, Clarke MSF, O'Connor DP, Stroud L, Ellerby GE, Soller BR. (2011) Near infrared spectroscopy-derived interstitial hydrogen ion concentration and tissue oxygen saturation during ambulation. Eur J Appl Physiol 111:1705-14.

Knoblauch, M.A, O’Connor, D.P and Clarke, M.S.F. (2010) Capillary and venous samples of total creatine kinase are similar after eccentric exercise. J. Strength & Conditioning. J Strength Cond Res 24:3471-5

Gazda, D., Rutz, J., Schultz, J., and Clarke, M.S.F. (2010) "Liquid Metering Centrifuge Sticks (LMCS): A Centrifugal Approach to Metering Known Sample Volumes for Colorimetric Solid Phase Extraction (C-SPE)," SAE Technical Paper 2007-01-3216.

Jones, J.J., Riggs, P.K., Yang, T.C., Pedemonte, C.H., Clarke, M.S.F., Feeback, D.L. and Au, W.A. (2007) Ionizing radiation-induced bioeffects in space and strategies to reduce cellular injury and carcinogenesis. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine 78 (4): 67-78.

Hutchison, A.T. and Clarke, M.S.F. (2006) An Isometric Strength Testing Device for Use with the Elderly: Validation Compared with Isokinetic Measures. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics. 25(2):1-12.

Sotiriadou, S. Kyparos,A., Albani,M., Arsos,G., Clarke,M.S.F., Sidiras, G., Angelopoulou, N. and Matziari, C. (2006) Soleus muscle force following downhill running in ovariectomized rats treated with estrogen. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism (formerly Canadian JAP) 31 (4): 449-59.

Singh, V., Desta, Y., Datta, P., Guy, J., Goettert, J., Clarke, M.S.F. and Feeback, D.L. (2005) “A Hybrid Approach for Fabrication of Polymeric BioMems Devices.” Microsystem Technologies, 13 (3): 396-377.

Carterson AJ, Honer zu Bentrup K, Ott CM, Clarke MSF, Pierson DL, Vanderburg CR, Buchanan KL, Nickerson CA, Schurr MJ. (2005) A549 lung epithelial cells grown as three-dimensional aggregates: alternative tissue culture model for Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis. Infection & Immunity. 73(2):1129-40.

Clarke, M.S.F. (2004) Effects of exercise on skeletal muscle in the aged. J. Musculoskeletal and Neuron Interactions. 4: 175-178.

Clarke, M.S.F., Vanderburg, C.R. and Feeback, D.L. (2002) The effect of acute microgravity upon mechanically-induced membrane damage and membrane-membrane fusion. J. Grav. Physiol.,8:37-47.

Nickerson, C.A., Goodwin, T., Terlonge, J., Ott, C. Mark, Clarke, M.S.F., Buchanan, K.L., Uicker, W.C., Emami, K., Cedor, C.L., Ramamurthy, R., Hammond, T. and Pierson, D.L. (2001) Novel Tissue Assemblies:Models for Enteric Pathogenesis. Infection & Immunity. 69:7106-7120.

Clarke, M.S.F., Vanderburg, C.R., Bamman, M.M., Caldwell, R.W. and Feeback, D.L. (2000) In situ localization of cholesterol in skeletal muscle using a monoclonal antibody. J. Appl. Physiol. 89: p731-741.

Clarke CH, Norfleet AM, Clarke MSF, Watson CS, Cunningham KA and Thomas ML. (1999) Peri-membrane localization of the estrogen receptor a protein in neuronal processes of cultured hippocampal neurons. Neuroendocrinology 71:34-42.

Clarke, M.S.F., Prendergast, M.A. and Terry, A.V. (1999) Plasma membrane ordering agent Pluronic F-68 (PF-68) reduces neurotransmitter uptake and release and produces learning and memory deficits in rats. Learning & Memory 6: 634-649.

Bamman, M.M., Clarke, M.S.F., Talmadge, R.J. and Feeback, D.L. (1999) Enhanced protein electrophoresis technique for separating human skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms. Electrophoresis 20: 466-468.

Clarke, M.S.F., Bamman, M.M. and Feeback, D.L. (1998) Bed-rest decreases mechanically induced myofiber wounding and consequent wound-mediated FGF release. J. Appl. Physiol. 85: 593-600.

Bamman, M.M., Clarke, M.S.F., Feeback, D.L., Talmadge, R.J., Stevens, B.R., Leiberman, S.A. and Greenisen, M.C. (1997) Impact of resistance exercise during bed rest on skeletal muscle sarcopenia and myosin isoform distribution. J. Appl. Physiol. 84:157-163.

Clarke, M.S.F. and Feeback, D.L. (1996) Mechanical load induces sarcoplasmic wounding and FGF release in differentiated human skeletal muscle cells. The FASEB Journal 10: 502-509.

Clarke, M.S.F., Pritchard, K.A., Medows, M. S. and McNeil, P.L. (1995) An atherogenic level of native LDL increases endothelial cell vulnerability to shear-induced plasma membrane wounding and consequent release of basic fibroblast growth factor. Endothelium 4: p127-139.

Clarke, M.S.F., Caldwell, R.W., Chiao, H., Miyake, K. and McNeil, P.L. (1995) Contraction-induced cell wounding and release of fibroblast growth factor in rat heart. Circulation Research 76; 927-934.

Clarke, M.S.F., Vanderburg, C.R., Hay, E.D. and McNeil, P.L. (1994) Cytoplasmic loading of dyes, protein and plasmid DNA using an impact-mediated procedure. Biotechniques 17 (6); p1118-1125.

Terry, A.V. and Clarke, M.S.F. (1994) Nicotine stimulation of nerve growth factor receptor expression. Life Sciences 55; PL 91-98.

Clarke, M.S.F., Khakee, R. and McNeil, P.L. (1993) Loss of cytoplasmic basic fibroblast growth factor from physiologically wounded myofibers of normal and dystrophic muscle. J. Cell Science 106; p121-133.

Clarke, M.S.F. and McNeil, P.L. (1992) Syringe loading introduces macromolecules into living mammalian cell cytosol. J. Cell Science 102; p533-541.

Clarke, M.S.F. and West, D.C. (1991). The identification of proliferation and tumor-induced proteins in human endothelial cells: A possible target for tumor therapy. Electrophoresis 12; p500-508.

Clarke, M.S.F., Kiff, R.S., Kumar, S., Kumar, P. and West, D.C. (1991). The identification of proliferation related antigens in human endothelial cells as a possible target in tumor therapy. Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 60; p17-23.



Book Chapters


*Clarke, M.S.F. (2011) Proteomic analysis of skeletal muscle using SELDI-TOFMS: application to disuse atrophy. In SELDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology) (ed: Clarke, CH and McCarthy, D.L.), Humana Press, p131-141. PMID: 22083821

Feeback, D.L. and Clarke, M.S.F. (2011) Space flight induced changes in muscle structure and function. In Space Physiology and Medicine ed. A.E. Nicogossian, S.L. Pool & C.L. Huntoon (4th Edition) Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins (in press).

Clarke, M. S. F., Jones, J.A. and Feeback, D.L. (2006) Syringe Loading: a method for assessing plasma membrane function as a reflection of the mechanically-induced membrane wound response. In. Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook. ed. J.E. Celis (3rd Edition), Academic Press. pp 233-240.

Clarke, M.S.F., Feeback, D.L. and Vanderburg, C.R. (2006). Impact-mediated loading of large macromolecules into adherent mammalian cells In. Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook. ed. J.E. Celis (3rd Edition), Academic Press. pp5-11.

Clarke, M.S.F., Weinberger, S. and Clarke, C.H. (2002) Detection of protein biomarkers during oxidative stress using Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (SELD-TOF) Mass Spectrometry. In Oxidative Stress and Aging: Advances in Basic Science, Diagnostics and Intervention ed. R.G. Cutler & H. Rodriguez, World Scientific Publishing Co. pp366-379.

McNeil, P.L., Clarke, M.S.F., and Miyaki, K. (1999). Cell wound assays. In Current Protocols in Cell Biology (J.S. Bonifacino, M. Dasso, J.B. Harford, J. Lippincott-Schwartz, and K.M. Yamada, eds.) pp 12.4.1-12.4.15, John Wiley & Sons. New York.

Clarke, M.S.F. and McNeil, P.L. (1998). Syringe Loading: a mechanically-based method for inserting macromolecules into cells. In. Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook. ed. J.E. Celis (2nd Edition), Academic Press. Volume 4. pp. 47 -54.

Clarke, M.S.F. and McNeil, P.L. (1994). Syringe Loading: a method for inserting macromolecules into cells in suspension. In. Cell Biology: A Laboratory Handbook. ed. J.E. Celis, Academic Press. pp. 30-36.



Patents and Intellectual Property


New Invention: Centrifuge Operated Slide Stainer (COSST) (Clarke, M.S.F. and Feeback, D.L. , US Patent # 6008009).

New Invention: Unidirectional Cell Stretching Device (Clarke, M.S.F. and Feeback, D.L., US Patent # 6107081)

New Invention: Method and Apparatus for Cytoplasmic Loading Using an Impact-Mediated Procedure – The G-Loader. (Clarke, M.S.F. et al., US Patent # 6221666).

New Invention: Directional Acceleration Vector Driven Displacement of Fluids (DAVD-DOF) (Clarke, M.S.F. and Daniel L. Feeback., US Patent # 6743632).

New Invention: Production of stable aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes (Clarke, M.S.F. and Daniel L. Feeback, US Patent # 6878361).

New Invention: Spatial localization of dispersed single walled carbon nanotubes into useful structures (Clarke, M.S.F. US Patent # 6896864).

New Invention: Clarke, M.S.F. and Feeback, D.L. (2011) US Patent # 7,968,073 entitled “Stable aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes”.

New Invention: Clarke, M.S.F., Sundaresan, A and Pellis, N.R. (2011) US Patent # 8,076,136 entitled “Mineralized three-dimensional bone constructs”.

New Invention: Clarke, M.S.F., Sundaresan, A and Pellis, N.R. (2011) European Patent # EP2013730 (A2) entitled “Three-dimensional bone constructs”.


Honors and Awards

Recipient of The Young Investigator Award, 16th Gray Conference, (Vasculature as a Target in Tumor Therapy), September 1990, Manchester, England.

National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Fellowship tenable at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas (1994-1996).

NASA Technical Innovation Space Act Award: "Development of an Impact Mediated Loading (IML) Device for Cell Transfection" (1997)

NASA Technical Innovation Space Act Award: "Development of a Unilateral/Unidirectional Cell Stretching Device" (1997).

NASA Technical Innovation Space Act Award: "Directional Acceleration Vector Driven Displacement of Fluids (DAVD-DOF)" (2003).

NASA Technical Innovation Space Act Award: "Microgravity-Compatible Sweat Collection and Analysis Device)" (2011).

Elected as Full Member, National Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi (2011)

University of Houston President's Leadership Award from President Khator for outstanding leadership of the UH Faculty Senate (2011)

Education

Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Biochemistry at Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England, 1991

M.I. in BIOL. (Pharmacology) at Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England, 1991