American Philosophical Society inducts Fred H. Gage

April 27, 2010

American Philosophical Society inducts Fred H. Gage

April 27, 2010

LA JOLLA—Salk scientist 弗雷德·H·盖奇, a professor in the Laboratory for Genetics and the Vi and John Adler Chair for Research on Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases, has been elected to the American Philosophical Society (APS). Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin and modeled after the Royal Society of London, the APS was the first organization in America to promote scientific endeavors and knowledge.

Gage, one of the most highly cited neuroscientist worldwide, joins a distinguished group of former members who include Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Thomas Edison, past and present Salk faculty members Renato Dulbecco, Sydney Brenner, Francis H. C. Crick, Ronald M. Evans, Inder Verma, Tony Hunter and former Salk president Augustus B. Kinzel.

Gage’s laboratory concentrates on the adult central nervous system and unexpected plasticity and adaptability to environmental stimulation that remains throughout the life of all mammals. He and his colleagues showed that, contrary to accepted dogma, human beings are capable of growing new nerve cells throughout life.

Small populations of immature nerve cells are found in the adult mammalian brain, which are generated in a process called neurogenesis. Gage is working to understand how these cells can be induced to become mature functioning nerve cells in the adult brain and spinal cord.

Gage’s lab also showed that environmental enrichment and physical exercise can enhance the growth of new brain cells and his team is studying the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms that may be harnessed to repair the aged and damaged brain and spinal cord.

The American Philosophical Society has more than 1000 members worldwide, 80 percent of whom are from the United States and 250 have received the Nobel Prize. Election to the APS recognizes outstanding academic accomplishments.

关于萨尔克生物研究所

索尔克生物研究所是世界顶尖的基础研究机构之一，其国际知名的教职人员在一个独特、协作和富有创造性的环境中，深入探究生命科学的基本问题。索尔克科学家们致力于发现和指导未来几代研究人员，通过研究神经科学、遗传学、细胞和植物生物学以及相关学科，在癌症、衰老、阿尔茨海默氏症、糖尿病和传染病的认识方面做出了开创性的贡献。.

学院取得了许多成就，获得了包括诺贝尔奖和美国国家科学院院士在内的无数荣誉。该研究所由脊髓灰质炎疫苗先驱 Jonas Salk 博士于 1960 年创立，是一家独立的非营利组织和建筑地标。.