Michel Goedert facts for kids
Michel Goedert is a famous Luxembourgish-British scientist. He is a neuroscientist, which means he studies the brain and nervous system. He used to lead the Neurobiology section at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology.
Michel Goedert grew up in Luxembourg. He finished his medical studies in 1986 at the University of Basel. After that, he began working at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology. This lab is connected to the University of Cambridge in England.
He has received many important awards for his work. These include the Metlife Foundation Award for Medical Research in Alzheimer's Disease in 1996 and the Potamkin Prize in 1998. In 2014, he won the European Grand Prix for Research for his work on Alzheimer's disease. In 2018, he shared The Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize. This award recognized his amazing research into brain diseases. In 2019, he received the Royal Medal and another prize for his new ideas in brain research.
Michel Goedert is married to Maria Grazia Spillantini. She is also a scientist who studies genetics. They have one son named Thomas.
Understanding Brain Diseases
Michel Goedert's main work is about understanding common brain diseases. These are called neurodegenerative diseases. They include Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These diseases cause brain cells to stop working over time.
How His Research Helps
His team looks at tiny, abnormal clumps inside brain cells. These clumps are like tangled threads. In Parkinson's disease, these threads are made of a protein called alpha-synuclein. In Alzheimer's disease, they are made of a protein called tau protein.
Michel Goedert's research showed that these protein clumps are very important. His team found changes in a gene called MAPT. This gene makes the tau protein. These changes can cause a rare type of brain disease. It is called frontotemporal dementia. This discovery helped scientists understand how these protein clumps cause brain problems. His work helps us learn more about these difficult diseases. This knowledge can lead to new ways to help people who have them.
Awards and Recognition
Michel Goedert has been recognized for his important discoveries. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. These are very high honors for scientists.
