Paul Greengard was a renowned American neuroscientist whose groundbreaking work on the molecular and cellular function of neurons earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000. His journey
from a young electronics technician during World War II to a celebrated scientist is a testament to his dedication and passion for understanding the complexities of the human brain. This article delves into the life and legacy of Greengard, highlighting his early influences, career achievements, and lasting impact on the field of neuroscience.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 11, 1925, in New York City, Paul Greengard was the son of Pearl Meister and Benjamin Greengard, a vaudeville comedian. Tragically, his mother died during childbirth, and his father remarried in 1927. Greengard and his sister were raised in the Christian tradition, despite their Jewish heritage. During World War II, Greengard served in the United States Navy as an electronics technician at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he worked on an early warning system against Japanese kamikaze planes.
After the war, Greengard attended Hamilton College, graduating in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics. He initially considered pursuing graduate studies in physics but decided against it due to the focus on nuclear weapons research at the time. Instead, he turned his attention to biophysics, a decision that would shape his future career.
Career Milestones
Greengard began his graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, where he was inspired by a lecture from Alan Hodgkin to explore the molecular and cellular function of neurons. He earned his PhD in 1953 and embarked on postdoctoral work at the University of London, Cambridge University, and the University of Amsterdam. His career took a significant turn when he became the director of the Department of Biochemistry at the Geigy Research Laboratories.
In 1967, Greengard transitioned to academia, holding positions at Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Vanderbilt University before joining Yale University as a professor in the Department of Pharmacology. In 1983, he joined the faculty of The Rockefeller University, where he continued his research and served on various scientific boards, including the Cure Alzheimer's Fund and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
Contributions to Neuroscience
Greengard's research focused on the events inside neurons triggered by neurotransmitters. He and his colleagues studied second messenger cascades, which transform neurotransmitter docking into permanent changes in the neuron. Their work revealed that dopamine interaction with a receptor increases cyclic AMP inside the cell, activating protein kinase A. This protein then phosphorylates other proteins, leading to changes such as DNA transcription, receptor movement, and ion channel relocation.
His work on the central regulatory protein DARPP-32 was pivotal, earning him the Nobel Prize alongside Arvid Carlsson and Eric Kandel. Greengard's contributions have had a lasting impact on neuroscience, advancing our understanding of neuronal signaling and its implications for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
