
Aaron James, MD, PhD
Pathology
Highlights
Johns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Aaron James
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Pathology
Background
Dr. James received his M.D. with thesis from the University of California, San Francisco with research at Stanford University. Dr. James performed his residency in Anatomic Pathology and fellowships in Orthopaedic Pathology and Surgical Pathology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He received his Ph.D. in bone biology and osteoprogenitor cells from University of California, Los Angeles.
Dr. James is a dual physician-scientist and bone tissue pathologist, with research interests in bone tissue regeneration and repair. Current research interests include perivascular mesenchymal progenitor cells, interaction of the peripheral nervous system with skeletal tissues, and novel growth and differentiation factors to speed bone repair.
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
- Stem cell signal drives new bone building, Johns Hopkins Medicine Newsroom, (January 7th, 2019)
- New Lentivirus-Based Tool Assesses Effect of Wnt/B-Catenin Signaling on Bone Regeneration, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers, September 3, 2018
- Protein combination improves bone regeneration, UCLA Newsroom, (January 28, 2016)
- New strategy aims to enhance efficacy, safety of bone repair treatment, Science Daily (January 6, 2016)
- Adipose Provides Cells for Bone Repair, Stem Cells Portal, (October 12, 2012)
Contact for Research Inquiries
720 Rutland Avenue
Rooms 524/523/519
Baltimore, MD 21205
Phone: (410) 502-4143
awjames@jhmi.edu
Research Interests
Bone biology, Mesenchymal stem cells, Osteogenesis, Osteosarcoma, Skeletal repair
Lab Website
James Laboratory - Lab Website
Selected Publications
Lee S, Hwang C, Marini S, Tower RJ, Pagani CA, Stepien DM, Qin Q, Negri S, Sorkin M, Kubiak CA, Visser ND, Meyers CA, Wang Y, Rasheed HA, Xu J, Miller S, Huber, AK Minichiello L, Cederna PS, Kemp SWP, Clemens TL, James AW, Levi B. NGF-TrkA signaling dictates neural ingrowth and aberrant osteochondral differentiation after soft tissue trauma. Nat Commun. Aug 2021;12(1):4939.
Li Z, Meyers CA, Chang L, Lee S, Li Z, Tomlinson R, Hoke A, Clemens TL, James AW. Fracture repair requires TrkA signaling by skeletal sensory nerves. J Clin Invest. 2019;129(12):5137-5150.
Meyers CA, Lee S, Sono T, Xu J, Negri S, Tian Y, Wang Y, Li Z, Miller S, Chang L, Gao Y, Minichiello L, Clemens TL, James AW. A neurotrophic mechanism directs sensory nerve transit in cranial bone. Cell Rep. 2020;31(8):107696.
Tower RJ, Li Z, Cheng YH, Wang X, Rajbhandari L, Zhang Q, Negri S, Dirckx N, Venkatesan A, Cahan P, James AW, Clemens TL. Spatial transcriptomics reveals a role for sensory nerves in preserving cranial suture patency through modulation of BMP/TGF-B signaling. PNAS, Oct 2021, 118 (42) e2103087118.
Xu J, Wang Y, Hsu CY, Negri S, Tower RJ, Gao Y, Tian Y, Sono T, Meyers CA, Hardy WR, Chang L, Hu S, Kahn N, Broderick K, Peault B, James AW. Lysosomal protein surface expression discriminates fat- from bone-forming human mesenchymal precursor cells. eLife. 2020,9:e58990.
Honors
- Daljit S. and Elaine Sarkaria Fellowship Award, 1/1/14
- ORS Spotlight Podium Presentation, 1/1/13
- Young Investigator's Award, ASBMR, 1/1/13
- Phi Beta Kappa, 1/1/04
Memberships
- Member, Orthopaedic Research Society
- Member, American Society of Bone and Mineral Research
- Member, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
- Member, International Federation of Adipose Therapeutics and Science
- Member, American Society for Investigative Pathology
Professional Activities
- American Journal of Pathology, Editorial Board Member, 1/1/18
- Bone Research, Editorial Board Member, 1/1/17
Locations
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital
- 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
- phone: 410-955-5000
- fax: 410-955-5001
Expertise
Education
UCLA Medical Center
Fellowship, Surgical Pathology, 2016UCLA Graduate School
Graduate School, PhD, 2016UCLA Medical Center
Residency, Anatomic Pathology, 2015University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 2010Board Certifications
Anatomic Pathology
American Board of Pathology, 2015Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)