Paul Greengard

Paul Greengard
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Name	Paul Greengard
Birth date	December 11, 1925
Birth place	New York City, New York
Death date	April 13, 2019
Death place	New York City, New York
Nationality	American
Fields	Neuroscience, Biochemistry

Paul Greengard was a renowned American neuroscientist who made significant contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly in the area of signal transduction pathways. His work had a profound impact on our understanding of neurotransmission and the underlying mechanisms of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. Greengard's research was influenced by the work of Eric Kandel, Arvid Carlsson, and Roger Guillemin, and he collaborated with numerous scientists, including Michael E. Greenberg and Lily Jan. His discoveries paved the way for the development of new treatments for various neurological disorders, including those developed by Pfizer, Merck & Co., and GlaxoSmithKline.

● Early Life and Education

Paul Greengard was born in New York City, New York, to a family of Jewish descent. He developed an interest in science at an early age, inspired by the work of Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and Louis Pasteur. Greengard attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, where he was encouraged by his teachers to pursue a career in science. He then went on to study physics and mathematics at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, graduating in 1947. Greengard's interest in biology and chemistry led him to pursue a career in medical research, and he was influenced by the work of Linus Pauling, James Watson, and Francis Crick.

● Career

Greengard began his career in medical research at the Yale University School of Medicine, where he worked under the guidance of Eugene Kennedy and Edward Kravitz. He then moved to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, where he collaborated with Julius Axelrod and Seymour Kaufman. In 1968, Greengard joined the faculty of the Yale University School of Medicine as a professor of pharmacology, where he worked alongside Alfred Gilman and Martin Rodbell. He later became the director of the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research at The Rockefeller University in New York City, where he worked with David Allis and Titia de Lange.

● Research and Discoveries

Greengard's research focused on the signal transduction pathways involved in neurotransmission, particularly the role of protein phosphorylation in neuronal signaling. His work led to the discovery of the DARPP-32 protein, which plays a critical role in the regulation of dopamine signaling in the brain. Greengard's research also explored the underlying mechanisms of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia, and he collaborated with researchers at Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of California, San Francisco. His discoveries have had a significant impact on our understanding of neurological disorders and have led to the development of new treatments, including those developed by Biogen, Eli Lilly and Company, and AstraZeneca.

● Awards and Honors

Greengard received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to neuroscience and medical research, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000, which he shared with Eric Kandel and Arvid Carlsson. He was also awarded the National Medal of Science in 1999 and the Wolf Prize in Medicine in 1989. Greengard was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Institute of Medicine, and he received honorary degrees from Columbia University, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge.

● Personal Life

Greengard was married to Ursula von Rydingsvard, a Polish-American artist, and had three children from a previous marriage. He was a strong advocate for women's rights and social justice, and he supported organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Organization for Women. Greengard was also a talented pianist and enjoyed playing the music of Mozart, Chopin, and Debussy. He passed away on April 13, 2019, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research and discoveries that continue to shape our understanding of the human brain and neurological disorders. Category:American neuroscientists