Neurobiology

Morris J. Karnovsky, M.B.B.CH., D.Sc.

Shattuck Professor of Pathological Anatomy, Emeritus

Dr. Morris J Karnovsky has made numerous fundamental discoveries on cell structure and functional relationships that have far-reaching impact in Pathology as well as in Cell Biology and Physiology.

The two threads running through all of Morris' research - the study of structural components of cells and their function, and analysis of how disease states change structure and function - were laid in place early. Though he has pioneered the invention and development of several technologies, he has always perceived these efforts as the necessary means of addressing crucial problems in science. His research papers reflect this and offer an elegant weave of innovative techniques, creative experimentation, use of sophisticated models, and are a meld of Cell Biology, Experimental Pathology and Physiology.

One of his most widely appreciated contributions to Cell Biology was the extension of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer method to both the light and electron microscopic level, by introducing diaminobenzidine (DAB) as an electron donor. HRP oxidizes DAB in the presence of H2O2 and converts it into an insoluble polymer, which is detectable by LM and EM. When HRP is injected into the bloodstream, its pathways can be followed with the DAB reaction. Using this and other original methods the structural bases for capillary permeability and the blood-brain barrier, and the subunit structure of gap junctions were studied. Other areas of interest were the oxidative metabolism of activated leucocytes and osteoclasts and lipid domains in cell membranes. More recently the reaction of blood vessels to injury and in tranplants was an area of research. Morris’ career is described in A Pathologist’s Odyssey (see below.)

In addition to his fundamental research contributions, Morris has been an inspiring teacher, mentor to scores of students, and a prominent figure in the community of experimental pathology and cell biology. His role as a mentor has been recognized at Harvard Medical School by his being the first awardee of the Clifford Barger Award for Lifetime Mentoring. He is also the recipient of the Chugai Award for Lifetime Mentoring and Scholarship given by the American Society for Investigative Pathology.