Dr. Arthur Horwich

Biography

Arthur Horwich received his M.D. degree from Brown University and completed his pediatric training at Yale. He became a postdoctoral fellow at the Salk Institute in the Tumor Virology Laboratory before joining the faculty at Yale. His research focuses on protein import into mitochondria and the discovery of the 'folding machine', specifically the chaperonin Hsp60, which assists in protein folding in cellular compartments. Horwich's work has led to significant insights into neurodegenerative diseases, particularly modeling mutant SOD1-linked Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in transgenic mice. His studies involve various approaches to understand the misbehavior of mutant SOD1 proteins, leading to motor dysfunction as seen in ALS. Notably, his research has demonstrated that molecular chaperones can improve the survival of these mutant mice, which is a crucial discovery in the context of neurodegeneration. Horwich's extensive research serves as a pillar in understanding the mechanisms behind protein misfolding and the associated neurodegenerative conditions.

Research Interests

Awards