Fred H Gage - F1000 Section Head (since 18 July 2001)
Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
BIOGRAPHY
ACADEMIC POSITION:Professor and Vi and John Adler Chair for Research on Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases, Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
EDUCATION:
• BS, University of Florida
• PhD, The Johns Hopkins University
HONORS AND AWARDS:
• Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences
• Fellow of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences
• Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Neuroscience Research Award, 1987
• IPSEN Prize in Neuronal Plasticity, 1990
• Charles A Dana Award for Pioneering Achievements in Health and Education, 1993
• Christopher Reeve Research Medal, 1997
• Max Planck Research Prize, 1999
• The Robert J and Claire Pasarow Foundation Award, 1999
• President, Society for Neuroscience, 2001
• Vi and John Adler Professor on Age-related Neurodegenerative Diseases, 2001
• MetLife Award for Medical Research, 2002
• Klaus Joachim Zulch-Preis through the Max Planck Society, 2003
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Fred H Gage, a professor in the Laboratory of Genetics, concentrates on the adult central nervous system and unexpected plasticity and adaptability to environmental stimulation that remains throughout the life of all mammals. His work may lead to methods of replacing or enhancing brain and spinal cord tissues lost or damaged due to neurodegenerative disease or trauma.
Gage's lab 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, 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. They showed that environmental enrichment and physical exercise can enhance the growth of new brain cells and they are studying the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, that may be harnessed to repair the aged and damaged brain and spinal cord.