معرفی
Ronald L. Schnaar, PhD, is the John Jacob Abel Professor of Pharmacology and Interim Director of the Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. With appointments in both the Department of Pharmacology and the Department of Neuroscience, he is a leading expert in glycobiology whose research bridges neuroscience and immunology.
His research focuses on cell surface molecular recognition, particularly the roles of gangliosides and Siglec receptors in neural cell-cell interactions, myelin maintenance, and axon regeneration. His laboratory has made seminal discoveries showing that gangliosides serve as ligands for myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), which has important implications for understanding nerve repair mechanisms. More recently, his work has expanded to explore how Siglec receptors and their glycan ligands regulate inflammatory processes in the airways and brain.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach combining chemical biology, neuroscience, and immunology to investigate glycan-mediated interactions. His work demonstrates how basic research on cell surface glycans translates into potential therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory conditions.
- John Jacob Abel Professor of Pharmacology
Dr. Schnaar has mentored over 20 PhD students who have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and government. His laboratory, currently comprising research associates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, is supported by multiple NIH grants focusing on glycan biology in neural and immune contexts. The lab has developed innovative chemical biology tools for studying ganglioside interactions in live cells.
The Schnaar laboratory maintains active collaborations with researchers across Johns Hopkins and internationally, with particular emphasis on translating basic discoveries about glycan recognition into potential therapeutic approaches for neurological and inflammatory diseases.
