Michael S. Cohen

Michael S. Cohen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine. His research program integrates chemical biology and molecular design to develop novel tools for probing NAD+ regulation and ADP-ribosylation in cellular systems.

His educational background includes:

• B.S. from University of California, Irvine (2000)
• Ph.D. from University of California, San Francisco (2006)
• LSRF Postdoctoral Fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College (2006-2011)

Dr. Cohen's laboratory focuses on two interconnected research pillars: (1) elucidating novel roles for NAD+ metabolism in cellular physiology, and (2) deciphering the biological functions of ADP-ribosylation—a post-translational modification catalyzed by PARP enzymes. His team pioneered orthogonal NAD+ analogue-enzyme pairs, selective PARP inhibitors, and real-time NAD+ biosensors that overcome limitations of conventional methods. These chemical tools enable precise manipulation and monitoring of NAD+-dependent processes in living cells.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a strategic expansion from fundamental mechanism discovery toward translational applications. Key themes include PARP-mediated immune regulation (e.g., PARP7 in interferon signaling and autoimmunity), cancer immunotherapy enhancement (via PARP11 modulation of regulatory T cells), and neuro-cardiac repair mechanisms. His work bridges chemical biology, immunology, and regenerative medicine through innovative molecular engineering.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Pew Biomedical Scholar (2015)
• Richard T. Jones New Investigator Award (2016)
• ICBS Young Chemical Biologist Award (2018)

Dr. Cohen mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in chemical biology techniques, with research supported by NIH and foundation grants. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with OHSU clinicians investigating applications in autoimmunity, viral pathogenesis, and cardiac injury models.

The Cohen Lab operates within OHSU's collaborative research ecosystem, utilizing core facilities for chemical proteomics and live-cell imaging to translate basic discoveries into therapeutic strategies for NAD+-related pathologies.