Salk Institute

Head of the Laboratory of Genetics

“On the other hand, I am not frightened to admit that I believe this information is going to be useful to sick human beings. How soon, or for what specific conditions, I cannot say. But I really do believe that this will eventually work.” – Gage

Fred Gage is the head of the Laboratory of Genetics at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California. His experimentation has contributed several important pieces of evidence that the adult brain can, in fact, produce new neurons. Gage has utilized a wide variety of methodologies in his research including the common BrdU labeling and usage of neuronal markers, while also using innovative techniques. For example, Gage in collaboration with Eriksson and other scientists, took advantage of 14C present within the environment from nuclear bomb testing from the Cold War in order to determine the age of neurons within the neocortex, and evaluate the presence of neurogenesis within this new area. While Gage’s originial work focused on determining whether or not neurogenesis within the adult brain exists, his laboratory now focuses on how neurogenesis is able to be manipulated through external factors, such as drug  usage.

Gage is the co-founder of BrainCellsInc, an organization that “translates the science of neurogenesis into clincal practice” .  The company uses human stem cell based and animal based assays in order to provide measures of the three criteria for neurogenesis: proliferation, migration, and integration. BrainCellsInc has developed a neurogenesis platform in order to “accurately delineate” anti-depressant qualities of new chemicals and novel mechanisms in conjunction with new combinations of known agents in order to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. The main efforts of BrainCellsInc is the treatment of mood disorders, and possibly other areas such as cognition and brain repair.

Career Milestones

Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences

Fellow of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences

Fellow off 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

Acknowledgments

http://www.braincellsinc.com/pipeline/pipeline-overview

Wikipedia

Photo: http://images.the-scientist.com/content/figures/images/yr1997/oct/oct_art/gage.jpg

Page by: Loretta Cacace