Michael Greenberg

Michael Greenberg is the Nathan Marsh Pusey Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Neurology at Boston Children's Hospital. He directs the Hock E. Tan and K. Lisa Yang Center for Autism Research at Harvard Medical School. His work focuses on how neuronal activity regulates gene expression and neural circuit development, with particular emphasis on autism spectrum disorders and Rett syndrome. His research employs molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches to study activity-dependent transcriptional programs and their clinical relevance in neurological conditions.

Key research interests include:

• Activity-driven gene regulation in neurons
• Role of enhancer elements in neuronal plasticity
• Human-specific neurobiological mechanisms
• Pathways underlying Rett syndrome and autism
• Neurotrophin signaling and calcium-dependent pathways

Recent studies highlight his lab's exploration of sensory-driven circuit development, evolutionary aspects of gene regulation in the primate brain, and drug discovery for neurodevelopmental disorders. The lab's work often integrates advanced genomic technologies, viral vector engineering, and animal models to dissect molecular mechanisms in vivo.

Publications emphasize themes such as chromatin remodeling via the BAF complex, thyroid hormone's role in cortical metabolism, and microglial contributions to neural connectivity. His research has identified critical pathways linking neuronal activity to disease states, with translational potential in therapies for autism and related disorders.