Tom Maniatis

Dr. Tom Maniatis is the Isidore S. Edelman Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a Principal Investigator at Columbia's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. He serves as Director of Columbia's Precision Medicine Initiative, Scientific Director and CEO of the New York Genome Center, and is a member of the Motor Neuron Center.

Dr. Maniatis earned his B.A. and M.S. from the University of Colorado, his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard University and the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England. He previously held faculty positions at Caltech and Harvard University before joining Columbia.

His research focuses on two major areas: molecular mechanisms of ALS and the function of clustered protocadherin (Pcdh) genes in neural circuit assembly. His pioneering work revealed how Pcdh genes generate unique molecular 'bar codes' on neurons that enable self-recognition and proper wiring of the brain. In ALS research, his lab investigates autophagy mechanisms, astrocyte/motor neuron interactions, and the role of neuroinflammation in disease progression using mouse models and human stem cells.

Dr. Maniatis' recent publications demonstrate his lab's interdisciplinary approach, combining molecular biology, structural biology, and computational methods to study neural development and neurodegeneration. His work spans from fundamental protein structure studies to translational ALS research, with consistent themes of molecular recognition mechanisms and cellular heterogeneity.

• Lasker-Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science (2012)
• Member, National Academy of Sciences (1985)
• Member, National Academy of Medicine (2012)
• Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1985)
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (1986)
• Eli Lilly Award in Microbiology and Immunology

Dr. Maniatis' lab trains numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in cutting-edge techniques spanning molecular biology, stem cell differentiation, animal behavior, and single-cell analysis. His collaborative approach, evident in partnerships with structural biologists and computational scientists, creates a rich training environment. The lab's work on protocadherins has established foundational knowledge about neural circuit assembly, while its ALS research offers promising pathways toward therapeutic interventions.

The Maniatis Lab maintains strong connections with Columbia's Zuckerman Institute, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and fostering collaborations across neuroscience disciplines. The lab's integration of basic molecular mechanisms with disease models exemplifies modern translational neuroscience research.