Dr. David Paul

Biography

David L. Paul is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on the molecular structure and function of gap junctions, which are collections of intercellular channels that allow direct movement of small molecules between cells. These channels provide electrical connections that are essential for signal transmission between neurons and non-excitable cells. He has extensively worked on the connexin family of genes, which encode the components of these intercellular channels, and is known for his discovery of a hereditary disorder, X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMTX) disease, associated with mutations in the connexin called Cx32. CMTX is a common familial neuropathy characterized by slow, progressive loss of motor and sensory functions, primarily affecting the peripheral nervous system. Dr. Paul’s research has also demonstrated how Schwann cells, which produce myelin, utilize Cx32 to establish gap junctions that facilitate communication necessary for normal myelination. His continued research aims to resolve fundamental questions regarding the etiology of CMTX and the functionality of connexins, utilizing novel animal models and in vitro expression systems to further investigate these critical pathways.

Research Interests