Dr. Paul Greengard was a pioneering neuroscientist whose extraordinary seven-decade career fundamentally transformed our understanding of how nerve cells communicate within the brain. Born in New York City on December 11, 1925, under tragic circumstances as his mother died giving birth to him, Greengard demonstrated exceptional aptitude in mathematics and physics from an early age. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy as an electronics technician, contributing to the development of radar-based early-warning systems at MIT. After completing his B.S. in physics at Hamilton College through the G.I. Bill, he earned his Ph.D. in biophysics from Johns Hopkins University in 1953, followed by five years of postdoctoral research at leading institutions in England including the University of London, Cambridge University, and the National Institute for Medical Research.
Greengard's groundbreaking research elucidated the biochemical mechanisms of signal transduction in the nervous system, revealing how neurotransmitters function through a process he termed slow synaptic transmission. He discovered that neurotransmitters like dopamine trigger a cascade effect involving cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein-32 (DARPP-32), which activates proteins affecting signal transmission in brain regions controlling critical functions such as movement, speech, and sensory perception. His work provided the molecular foundation for understanding how nerve cells communicate, explaining the mechanisms behind mood regulation, alertness, and the action of psychiatric medications. For these seminal discoveries that revolutionized neuroscience, Greengard was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000, sharing the honor with Arvid Carlsson and Eric Kandel.
At Rockefeller University, where he served as Vincent Astor Professor from 1983 until his death, Greengard established the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience and founded the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research, applying his expertise to neurodegenerative disorders. Demonstrating remarkable commitment to advancing women in science, he and his wife Ursula von Rydingsvard used his entire Nobel Prize award to establish the Pearl Meister Greengard Prize, honoring his mother and recognizing outstanding women in biomedical research. Throughout his distinguished career, Greengard received numerous prestigious accolades including the Charles A. Dana Award for Pioneering Achievements in Health and the National Academy of Sciences Award in the Neurosciences. Greengard passed away at age 93, leaving an enduring scientific legacy that continues to shape neuroscience research and inspire new generations of investigators worldwide.
