Biography

Joachim Herz graduated from Medical School at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in 1983. He continued training as a resident in surgery in Germany and England until he joined the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in 1985. There, he received training in Molecular Biology and conducted research work that included the identification and cloning of a novel member of the LDL receptor gene family, the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP). In 1989 Dr. Herz joined the Department of Molecular Genetics where in 1998 he attained his current position of Professor. He is the holder of the Thomas O. Hicks Family Distinguished Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease Research and the Presbyterian Village North Foundation Distinguished Chair in Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic Research. 

Dr. Herz’s current research focuses on the the molecular mechanisms by which the members of the LDL receptor gene family function as signaling and endocytic receptors in the brain and in the vascular wall.  Recent work from his laboratory have revealed therapeutically amenable mechanisms that can be exploited for the development of novel treatment approaches for Multiple Sclerosis and the prevention of late-onset Alzheimer's Disease. 

Education

Medical School
Heidelberg University (1983), Medicine

Research Interest

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Frontotemporal Dementia
  • Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Synaptic Physiology and Alzheimer's Disease

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Regulation of the hippocampal translatome by Apoer2-ICD release.
Wasser CR, Werthmann GC, Hall EM, Kuhbandner K, Wong CH, Durakoglugil MS, Herz J, Mol Neurodegener 2023 Sep 18 1 62
Apoer2-ICD-dependent regulation of hippocampal ribosome mRNA loading.
Wasser C, Werthmann GC, Hall EM, Kuhbandner K, Wong CH, Durakoglugil MS, Herz J, Res Sq 2023 Jun
Reelin through the years: From brain development to inflammation.
Alexander A, Herz J, Calvier L, Cell Rep 2023 Jun 42 6 112669
Circulating Reelin promotes inflammation and modulates disease activity in acute and long COVID-19 cases.
Calvier L, Drelich A, Hsu J, Tseng CT, Mina Y, Nath A, Kounnas MZ, Herz J, Front Immunol 2023 14 1185748
Correction: Blood-brain barrier-associated pericytes internalize and clear aggregated amyloid-β42 by LRP1-dependent apolipoprotein E isoform-specific mechanism.
Ma Q, Zhao Z, Sagare AP, Wu Y, Wang M, Owens NC, Verghese PB, Herz J, Holtzman DM, Zlokovic BV, Mol Neurodegener 2022 Nov 17 1 71

Books

Featured Books Legend Featured Books

Honors & Awards

  • Harrington Innovator Award
    (2019)
  • NIH CMND Study Section
    Standing Member (2019)
  • Presbyterian Village North Foundation
    Distinguished Chair in Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic Research (2017)
  • NIH Merit Award
    (2015-2020)
  • Alexander Humboldt Foundation, Germany
    Advisory Board (2014)
  • Pitt-Hopkins Research Foundation
    Advisory Board (2014)
  • Alexander-von-Humboldt Professorship
    (2009)
  • Heinrich-Wieland Prized
    International Lipid Research Award (2007)
  • Thomas O. and Cinda Hicks Family Distinguished Chair
    (2002)
  • Wolfgang Paul Award
    Humboldt Foundation of Germany (2001)
  • Lucille P. Markey Scholar
    (1991)
  • Syntex Scholar
    (1991)