Michael E. Greenberg
Encyclopedia
Michael Greenberg is an American neuroscientist who specializes in neurobiology at the molecular level.
, New York and graduated from Wesleyan University
(magna cum laude) in 1976. He conducted his Ph.D. research and began his post-doctoral research at Rockefeller University
in New York City in Gerald Edelman
's laboratory. He later completed his postdoctoral research with Edward Ziff at New York University
. During his time in Ziff's lab, he observed that the transcription of c-fos
, a cellular proto-oncogene, is induced within minutes of activation by neurotrophic factors. In 1986, he moved to Boston
, Massachusetts
to take a job in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Harvard Medical School
. He has been the chairman of the Neurobiology Department at Harvard Medical School since 2008. He is also a professor of Neurology and Director of the Neurobiology Program at Children's Hospital Boston
. He is the author of more than 165 articles in neurobiology and serves on the editorial boards of the following journals, among others: Journal of Neuroscience, Learning & Memory; Neuron; and Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience.
Michael Greenberg has received numerous prizes, including the Edward M. Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience and a McKnight award for technological advances in neuroscience. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
and of the National Academy of Sciences
. He has mentored a number of successful neuroscientists, including (but not limited to) Morgan Sheng, David Ginty
, and Anirvan Ghosh
. His lab specializes in the research of activity-dependent transcription in the intracellular signaling of neurons. Areas of interest have included c-fos
, CREB
, Bdnf, and MeCP2
. In general, his research has also explored the molecular biology and genetics of autism spectrum disorders, including the genetic basis of nurturing.
Biography
Michael Greenberg grew up in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York and graduated from Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
(magna cum laude) in 1976. He conducted his Ph.D. research and began his post-doctoral research at Rockefeller University
Rockefeller University
The Rockefeller University is a private university offering postgraduate and postdoctoral education. It has a strong concentration in the biological sciences. It is also known for producing numerous Nobel laureates...
in New York City in Gerald Edelman
Gerald Edelman
Gerald Maurice Edelman is an American biologist who shared the 1972 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work with Rodney Robert Porter on the immune system. Edelman's Nobel Prize-winning research concerned discovery of the structure of antibody molecules...
's laboratory. He later completed his postdoctoral research with Edward Ziff at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. During his time in Ziff's lab, he observed that the transcription of c-fos
C-Fos
In the field of molecular biology and Genetics, c-Fos is a protein encoded by the FOS gene.-Structure and function:c-Fos is a cellular proto-oncogene belonging to the immediate early gene family of transcription factors. c-Fos has a leucine-zipper DNA binding domain, and a transactivation domain at...
, a cellular proto-oncogene, is induced within minutes of activation by neurotrophic factors. In 1986, he moved to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
to take a job in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
. He has been the chairman of the Neurobiology Department at Harvard Medical School since 2008. He is also a professor of Neurology and Director of the Neurobiology Program at Children's Hospital Boston
Children's Hospital Boston
Children's Hospital Boston is a 396-licensed bed children's hospital in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area of Boston, Massachusetts.At 300 Longwood Avenue, Children's is adjacent both to its teaching affiliate, Harvard Medical School, and to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute...
. He is the author of more than 165 articles in neurobiology and serves on the editorial boards of the following journals, among others: Journal of Neuroscience, Learning & Memory; Neuron; and Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience.
Michael Greenberg has received numerous prizes, including the Edward M. Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience and a McKnight award for technological advances in neuroscience. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
and of the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
. He has mentored a number of successful neuroscientists, including (but not limited to) Morgan Sheng, David Ginty
David Ginty
Dr. David D. Ginty is an American neuroscientist and developmental biologist.He graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College and received his Ph.D. degree in physiology from East Carolina University for graduate work with Edward Seidel, on the regulation of polyamine compounds and their metabolism...
, and Anirvan Ghosh
Anirvan Ghosh
Anirvan Ghosh is an American neuroscientist of Indian descent. His research has contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate development of the mammalian brain. A major focus of his research has been to identify mechanisms that regulate neuronal connectivity and the...
. His lab specializes in the research of activity-dependent transcription in the intracellular signaling of neurons. Areas of interest have included c-fos
C-Fos
In the field of molecular biology and Genetics, c-Fos is a protein encoded by the FOS gene.-Structure and function:c-Fos is a cellular proto-oncogene belonging to the immediate early gene family of transcription factors. c-Fos has a leucine-zipper DNA binding domain, and a transactivation domain at...
, CREB
CREB
CREB is a cellular transcription factor. It binds to certain DNA sequences called cAMP response elements , thereby increasing or decreasing the transcription of the downstream genes....
, Bdnf, and MeCP2
MECP2
MECP2 is a gene that provides instructions for making its protein product, MECP2, also referred to as MeCP2. MECP2 appears to be essential for the normal function of nerve cells. The protein seems to be particularly important for mature nerve cells, where it is present in high levels...
. In general, his research has also explored the molecular biology and genetics of autism spectrum disorders, including the genetic basis of nurturing.
External links
- Signaling networks that regulate synapse development and cognitive function - a video lecture by Michael Greenberg, 2010