Rudolph E. Tanzi

Dr. Rudolph E. Tanzi

Rudolph Tanzi (also Rudy Tanzi) is the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard University, and Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).[1] Tanzi has been investigating the genetics of neurological disease since a student in the 1980s when he participated in the first study that used genetic markers to find a disease gene (Huntington's disease). Tanzi co-discovered all three familial early-onset Alzheimer's disease (FAD) genes and several other neurological disease genes including that responsible for Wilson’s disease. As the leader of the Cure Alzheimer's Fund Alzheimer’s Genome Project, Tanzi has carried out multiple genome wide association studies of thousands of Alzheimer’s families leading to the identification of novel AD candidate genes, including CD33 and the first two rare mutations causing late-onset AD in the ADAM10 gene. His research on the role of zinc and copper in AD has led to clinical trials at Prana Biotechnology. He is also working on gamma secretase modulators (together with Steve Wagner, UCSD) for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's.

Publications

Dr. Tanzi has published roughly 500 scientific papers including the top three most cited papers in the field of Alzheimer's disease research. Dr. Tanzi also co-authored the books "Decoding Darkness: The Search the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer's Disease, the New York Times Best Seller book “Super Brain: Unleashing the Explosive Power of Your Mind to Maximize Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Well-Being" Paperback – October 22, 2013” and the International best seller: "Super Genes: Unlock the Astonishing Power of Your DNA for Optimum Health and Well-Being" with Deepak Chopra. Tanzi has made numerous television appearances on shows such as CBS This Morning and Dr. Oz. He also hosts the shows "Super Brain with Dr. Rudy Tanzi" and "Super Genes with Dr. Rudy Tanzi" on PBS television.

Education

Tanzi received his B.S. in microbiology and B.A.in history from the University of Rochester in 1980. In 1990, he received his Ph.D. in neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, where his doctoral thesis was on the discovery and isolation of the first Alzheimer's disease gene - the amyloid precursor protein (APP), published in 1987 in Science.

Discoveries and awards

Tanzi discovered (with others) the other two early-onset familial Alzheimer's genes known as the presenilins 1 and 2, in 1995.

Tanzi serves on dozens of editorial and scientific advisory boards, and as Chair of the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Research Consortium. He has received numerous awards, including the two highest awards for Alzheimer's disease research: The Metropolitan Life Award and The Potamkin Prize. He was included on the list of the "Harvard 100 Most Influential Alumni", and was chosen by the Geoffrey Beene Foundation as a “Rock Star of Science”. In 2015, he was named by TIME magazine to the TIME100 Most Influential People in the World list. For his invention of "Alzheimer's-in-a-Dish with Dr. Doo Yeon Kim, in 2015, he and Kim received the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award, the nation's highest award for invention and innovation. He also received the Silver Innovator Award.

Tanzi was awarded an honorary doctorate from The University of Rhode Island on May 17, 2015.[2]

Music

In musical pursuits, Tanzi professionally plays keyboards, most recently with Joe Perry and Aerosmith.[1] He also co-wrote the song tribute to Alzheimer's patients called "Remember Me", performed by singer Chris Mann.

Bibliography

Books

Key journal articles

References

  1. 1 2 Fletcher, Bevin (26 Jun 2015). "Alzheimer's Expert Jams with Aerosmith". Drug Discovery & Development.
  2. ↑ Staff. "Brain scientist "rock star" to address class of 2015". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved 26 Jun 2015.
  3. ↑ "Decoding darkness : the search for the genetic causes of Alzheimer's disease (Book, 2000)". WorldCat. Retrieved 26 Jun 2015.
  4. ↑ "Super brain : unleashing the explosive power of your mind to maximize health, happiness, and spiritual well-being (Book, 2012)". WorldCat. Retrieved 26 Jun 2015.

External links

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