Paul Greengard Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2000, jointly with Arvid Karlsson and Eric Kandel Date of Birth: 11.12.1925 Country: USA

1. Biography of Paul Greengard
2. Early Life and Education
3. Career
4. Contributions to Neuroscience
5. Philanthropy and Legacy

Biography of Paul Greengard

Paul Greengard was born on December 11, 1925, in New York City. He was an American neuroscientist and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000, along with Arvid Carlsson and Eric Kandel, for their discoveries concerning signal transduction in the nervous system.

Early Life and Education

Greengard earned his Ph.D. in 1953 from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. After completing his doctorate, he spent six years working in various biochemical laboratories in London and Bethesda.

Career

Greengard initially led biochemical research at the Geigy pharmaceutical company for several years before starting his career as a university scientist. He was a faculty member at Yale University from 1968 to 1983. In 1983, he moved to Rockefeller University in New York, where he established and directed the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience until his death.

Contributions to Neuroscience

Greengard's groundbreaking research focused on understanding the mechanisms of neurotransmission in the brain. He discovered that dopamine and other neurotransmitters act through metabotropic receptors, triggering chemical reactions inside neurons. He found that these reactions involve the phosphorylation of proteins, which leads to changes in their shape and function.

His work shed light on the slow synaptic transmission mediated by metabotropic receptors and provided insights into the effects of various drugs on protein phosphorylation in neurons. Greengard's findings revolutionized the understanding of how neurotransmitters modulate neuronal excitability and contribute to complex brain functions such as emotions, moods, and motivations.

Philanthropy and Legacy

Greengard was known for his generosity and commitment to supporting women in biomedical research. Upon receiving the Nobel Prize, he jokingly remarked, "We worked for so many years without any competition because people thought we were not quite normal." He dedicated a portion of his prize money to establish a university fund to encourage women in the field of biomedicine.

Paul Greengard passed away on April 13, 2019, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of neuroscience. His contributions have paved the way for further research and advancements in understanding the intricate workings of the brain.