Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research Overview

The Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research was created at UT Southwestern Medical Center with a $2 million challenge grant. Renowned physician-scientist Joachim Herz, M.D., Professor of Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, directs the Center. Recruitment is underway for faculty members.

Dr. Herz is noted for his groundbreaking research into how a mutation in a single protein triggers the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 5.3 million Americans and is the country’s seventh-leading cause of death.

Dr. Herz’s most recent work focuses on the study of Apolipoprotein E receptors. The receptors can greatly change the sensitivity of neurons over the course of a single day, affecting how strongly nerve cells interact with each other. This modulation is especially important in the hippocampus, and mutations correlate with Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Herz and his colleagues recently discovered.

In 2007 Dr. Herz received Germany’s highly respected Heinrich Wieland Prize for his research related to lipid and cholesterol regulation. He was cited for his discovery of novel and essential functions of lipoprotein receptors in the transmission of signals between cells. His research team identified important signaling pathways that control not only critical steps during embryonic organ development, but also in the brain, where they are required for memory processes and for protecting nerve cells from premature death during aging.

Faculty and Staff

Director

Joachim Herz, M.D.
Professor, Molecular Genetics, Neurology, and Neuroscience

Administration

Patricia Strackbein
Program Coordinator Sr.

Tamara Terrones
Manager Lab, Molecular Genetics

Faculty

Laurent Calvier, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Neurology, Molecular Genetics, OBI

Murat Durakoglugil, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Molecular Genetics

Postdoctoral Researchers

Herz Lab

Magalie Lambert, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher, Molecular Genetics

Calvier Lab

Constanza Calamai, Ph.D.
Transitional Scholar, Neurology

Thandiwe Chavula, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher, Neurology

Miranda Leal-Garcia, Ph.D.
Transitional Scholar, Neurology

Graduate Student

Calvier & Herz Labs

Sharon Wu
Genetics, Development, & Disease Program, Neurology

Research Staff

Maribel Hermandez
Research Technicial II, Molecular Genetics

Rachel Tesla
Research Associate Sr., Molecular Genetics

Catherine Wasser, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Molecular Genetics

Collaborating/Faculty and Laboratories

Basic Science Faculty

Mark Henkemeyer, Ph.D.
Professor, Neuroscience

Xiaochun Li, Ph.D.
Professor, Molecular Genetics and Biophysics

Weichun Lin, Ph.D.
Professor, Neuroscience

James Malter, M.D.
Professor and Chair, Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Immunology

Janine Prange-Kiel, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Cell Biology

Joseph Ready, Ph.D.
Professor, Biochemistry

Shirling Tsai, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Surgery

Gang Yu, Ph.D.
Professor, Neuroscience

Clinical Faculty

Bret Evers, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Pathology