Marc Hammarlund

Marc Hammarlund is Professor of Genetics and of Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine, holding fully joint appointments in both departments. His academic home spans multiple Yale research centers and programs, including the Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development, Neuroscience Track Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), and Yale Stem Cell Center.

Hammarlund earned his PhD from the University of Utah in 2003. His doctoral research with Erik Jorgensen focused on genetics and synaptic transmission, while his postdoctoral work with Mike Bastiani pioneered the study of axon regeneration in C. elegans, where he discovered the DLK regeneration pathway.

His research focuses on fundamental mechanisms of neuronal cell biology, specifically neuronal degeneration, regeneration, and cell fate determination. His laboratory primarily utilizes C. elegans as a model system to investigate axon biology, with particular emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern neuronal health and degeneration. His work bridges cell biology, genetics, and neuroscience to uncover basic principles of neuronal function and resilience.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on axonal transport mechanisms, neuronal metabolism, and the molecular pathways involved in neuronal regeneration and degeneration. His work spans from structural and molecular analyses of individual proteins to systems-level investigations of entire nervous systems, demonstrating both depth in mechanistic understanding and breadth in research scope. Much of his research centers on the DLK pathway he discovered, which has become a fundamental framework for understanding axon regeneration.

Hammarlund's research has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and developing potential therapeutic approaches. His work on metabolic regulation in neurons and axonal transport mechanisms provides critical insights into the cellular processes that fail in conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

His laboratory maintains active collaborations across Yale and with researchers worldwide, as evidenced by his co-authorship with scientists from multiple disciplines including cell biology, structural biology, and systems neuroscience. He contributes significantly to several major research initiatives at Yale, particularly those focused on neuroscience and cellular mechanisms of disease.