Salk scientist has been elected a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization

October 22, 2009

Salk scientist has been elected a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization

October 22, 2009

拉霍亚，加利福尼亚州—Dr. Fred H. Gage, a professor in the Laboratory for Genetics at the Salk Institute and the Vi and John Adler Chair for Research on Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases, is one of only three Americans elected an Associate Member to the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) in 2009.

“The election once again puts a spotlight on the most outstanding representatives of the current generation of life scientists. We look forward to the fresh impulses this exceptional group will bring to our organization,” said EMBO Director Hermann Bujard.

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.

Dr. 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.

About EMBO members
EMBO members provide their scientific expertise to the various programs coordinated by EMBO. They provide scientific input to the organization, participate in committees, may nominate new members, mentor young scientists and initiate new activities.

Members are elected annually on the basis of their proven excellence in research and represent a high-profile cross section of researchers from all fields of molecular life sciences ranging from developmental biology, genomics, molecular medicine, neuroscience and plant biology to systems biology.

More than 1,400 of Europe’s foremost researchers have been recognized by EMBO for key work as the very best in their field, and 50 members have received the Nobel Prize, many others are recipients of prestigious international awards. Membership is a life-long honor with new members nominated and elected annually by existing members.

关于索尔克生物研究所：
索尔克生物研究所是世界上最杰出的基础研究机构之一，其国际知名的教职人员在独特、协作和富有创造性的环境中探索生命科学的基本问题。索尔克科学家专注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、细胞生物学和植物生物学以及相关学科，在癌症、衰老、阿尔茨海默病、糖尿病和心血管疾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。.