Peter Bartels
Sacramento,USA
Summary
Accomplished Project Scientist at UC Davis with expertise in electrophysiology and drug targeting. Pioneered a novel signaling pathway enhancing L-type Ca²⁺ channel activity, advancing Alzheimer’s research. Proficient in electrophysiological techniques and collaborative problem-solving, driving innovative solutions in neurobiology and pain management.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Scientist
UC Davis
Davis, USA
01.2018 - Current
- Developed electrophysiological assays in primary neuron culture and recombinant systems (HEK) to study CACNA1C/ADRB2 regulation in AD.
- Identified a novel α1-adrenergic receptor–PKC–Src signaling pathway enhancing L-type Ca²⁺ channel activity, expanding therapeutic potential in cognition and synaptic plasticity.
- Characterized β2-adrenergic receptor signaling in amyloid-β toxicity, advancing understanding of Alzheimer’s mechanisms.
- Established “Light sensor” for ex vivo testing’s (Catecholamines) in AD.
- Dept. of Pharmacology
Research Fellow
A*STAR
Singapore, Singapore
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Built patch-clamp platforms for Neurodermatology assays in mono- and co-culture chip systems (collaboration with Ibidi, Germany).
- Codesigned a 2D skin–nerve chip assay for pruritogen screening in collaboration with Procter & Gamble (Singapore).
- Established sensory testing models for pain and itch modalities with translational applications.
- Institute of Molecular Biology
Research Fellow
RMIT University
Melbourne, Australia
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Identified two novel α-conopeptides (Eb1.6, Vt1.27) with analgesic activity through N-type Ca²⁺ channel (CACNA1B) inhibition.
- Selective GABAb drug targeting through regioselective disulfide replacement in α-conotoxins (Conus regius).
- Calcium flux assay (FlexStation, FURA-2AM, HTS) on CaV2.2 for Conopeptide testing.
- Advanced peptide drug development by defining structure–function and mechanisms of action in chronic pain models.
- GPCR targeting
Research Assistant
University of Cologne
Germany, Germany
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Subtype selective targeting of the T-type calcium channel (CACNA1G) inhibition by the anesthetic N2O.
- Department of Pharmacology
Education
Ph.D. - Neurobiology
National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Singapore01.2013
BS &MSc - Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology
University of Cologne
Cologne, Germany01.2007
Skills
- Electrophysiology
- Ex vivo
- Patch clamp
- SC/WC/mEPSC
- Confocal Microscopy
- SD/Ca-imaging
- Biosensor application
- NE/DA
- FLEX assay
- Patchliner
- Drug Targeting
- GPCR
- Ion channels
- Kinase
- Phosphatase
- Peptide evaluation
- Dicarba
- TAT-sequence
- Pain
- ALZ
- Calcium channel blocker
- CCB
- Beta blocker
- BB
- Pharmacodynamics
- MOA
- RNA isolation
- TRIzol
- Molecular biology
- CDNA
- PCR
- Molecular cloning
- Transcript analysis
- Full-length isolation
- Cell culture
- HEK
- 2D-CoCulture
- Skin
- Nerve
- Transfection
- Transient
- Stable
- Cell isolation
- Cardiomyocytes
- DRG
- HC
- Primary neuron culture
- Antibody Purification
- AC
- GST
- Western blot
- Co-IP
- Surface Biotinylation
- Sucrose gradient centrifugation
- SDG
- Animal models
- Neuro
- Cardiovascular
- GraphPad Prism
- OriginPro
- Clampex
- Clampfit
- ANDOR
- MetaMorph
- FIJI
- ImageJ
- Bioinformatics
- SnapGene
- DNAStar
- UNIProt
- PubMed
- BLAST
- Python
- Excel
- Word
- Large data analysis
- Poisson
- MLE
- Bayesian data
- Variance analysis
- AMAPA
- PS Non-Stationary
Selected Publications
- Bartels et al., Mol cell (in submission), Amyloid beta toxicity in AD
- Man et al., Science Signaling (2025), Dopamine regulation of CaV1.2 in working memory
- Https://rb.gy/sksetz, For full publication list
Timeline
Project Scientist
UC Davis
01.2018 - Current
Research Fellow
A*STAR
01.2016 - 01.2018
Research Fellow
RMIT University
01.2013 - 01.2016
Research Assistant
University of Cologne
01.2007 - 01.2008
Ph.D. - Neurobiology
National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
BS &MSc - Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology
University of Cologne