March 26, 2024
Common household chemicals pose new threat to brain health
Research shows chemicals in countless household items harm specialized cells in the brain
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has provided fresh insight into the dangers some common household chemicals pose to brain health. They suggest that chemicals found in a wide range of items, from furniture to hair products, may be linked to neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis and autism spectrum disorders.
Fixing rogue brain cells may hold key to preventing neurodegeneration
Researchers identify new therapeutic approach targeting astrocytes, the brain’s most abundant cells
A team led by scientists at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has identified a new therapeutic approach for combating neurodegenerative diseases, offering hope of improved treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Vanishing White Matter disease and multiple sclerosis, among others.
Feb 08, 2024
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Brain Health Medicines Center of Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals in Cleveland have granted ADDF-Harrington Scholar Awards to two Principal Investigators, Paul Tesar, PhD, of Case Western Reserve University, and Donald F. Weaver, MD, PhD, of University Health Network’s Krembil Research Institute.
5 questions with… Paul Tesar, recipient of the School of Medicine’s highest honor
When Dean Stan Gerson called Paul Tesar to the stage at the School of Medicine’s State of the School address last month, the Dr. Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman Professor of Innovative Therapeutics believed he’d be speaking about the Institute of Glial Sciences—a new center he’s directing. Instead, as his family smiled at him from the back of the auditorium, he made a new discovery: he was receiving the Case Medal for Excellence in Health Science Innovation, the school’s highest possible honor.
December 08, 2023
Paul Tesar receives the Case Medal for Excellence in Health Science Innovation
Paul Tesar (CWR ’03), PhD, the Dr. Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman Professor of Innovative Therapeutics, was awarded the school’s highest honor—the Case Medal for Excellence in Health Science Innovation—during the School of Medicine State of the School presentation on Dec. 6.
November 2nd, 2023
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine launches Institute for Glial Sciences
New center will target glial cells to treat neurological diseases
Case Western Reserve University has established an Institute for Glial Sciences to advance research of glial cells and their critical role in the health and diseases of the nervous systems, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, pediatric leukodystrophies, autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.
October 27, 2023
School of Medicine postdoctoral fellow wins coveted 2023 Eppendorf & Science Prize
Marissa Scavuzzo, a postdoctoral fellow at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, has won the 2023 Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology for research in how glial cells in the intestine’s nervous system operate.
Feb 11, 2022
Paul elected as a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors
Congratulations to Paul for being honored as one of “the world’s best emerging academic inventors” in the 2022 class of Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors.
Feb 10, 2022
TesarLab discovery licensed to Ionis Pharmaceuticals
Case Western Reserve University and Ionis Pharmaceuticals signed an exclusive license agreement to advance and commercialize a therapeutic approach discovered by TesarLab researchers to treat Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD). This represents major step toward a transformational antisense medicine for PMD patients and their families.
Aug 26, 2021
Erin Cohn awarded research fellowship from NIH/NINDS
Congrats to Erin (and Augie!) on this honor. Thank you to NIH and NINDS for supporting her exciting PhD thesis project on traumatic brain injury.
Congrats to the team on this international recognition from the Falling Walls Foundation recognizing leaders in the scientific study of life and organisms whose groundbreaking work contributes to solving the world’s biggest challenges. Winners announced later in 2021. Fingers crossed!
The Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship honors a select number of faculty members across the country who have shown dedication to superior mentorship and training in neuroscience research. Congrats Paul!
Paul spoke to New York Times reporter, Gina Kolata, about a new Nature paper showing the ability to grow mouse embryos in the laboratory halfway to term without a uterus
May 12, 2020
3 Tesar lab undergrads start med school
Congrats to three undergrads who are starting med school this summer. Lucille Hu will continue at CWRU in the MD program, Baraa Nawash will attend the University of Pittsburgh in their MD program, and Lili Barbar will attend Washington University in St. Louis in their MD/PhD program.
Mar 20, 2020
Matt Elitt matches at Wash U
Congrats to Matt Elitt who matched at Washington University in St. Louis in their ophthalmology residency program!
Congratulations to Paul for being named one of Cleveland’s Forty under 40, awarded for his work at CWRU and for his commitment to advance the Cleveland business community.
Aug 1, 2019
Paul Tesar is promoted to professor
Congrats to Paul for his promotion to professor in the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.
Jul 19, 2019
The Tesar lab gives back
Artur Gevorgyan, Baraa Nawash, and Marissa Scavuzzo encourage high school students in the Akron Upward Bound program to follow their curiosity and passion for science careers.
Jun 4, 2019
Marissa Scavuzzo is awarded the New York Stem Cell Foundation Druckenmiller Fellowship
Congrats to Marissa for being awarded the NYSCF Fellowship for her project, “Understanding the cells that make up the brain inside your gut.”
May 10, 2019
Lucille Hu wins first place in CWRU’s Michelson-Morley competition
Congrats to Lucille who won first place in CWRU’s annual Michelson-Morley for undergraduates who have conducted research in the biological sciences.
May 7, 2019
Marissa Scavuzzo is selected to present at the Copenhagen Bioscience Conference
Congrats to Marissa Scavuzzo who was selected to present a short talk at the Copenhagen Bioscience Conference – Intestinal Organoids on her project “The function and regenerative capacity of enteric glia in health and disease.”
Apr 12, 2019
Baraa Nawash is awarded CWRU’s PSURG and Outstanding Scholarship in Genetics
Congrats to Baraa for being selected to continue her research this summer as part of the Provost Summer Undergraduate Research Grant (PSURG). Baraa was also selected for the Department of Biology’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship in the field of Genetics.
Apr 4, 2019
Matt Elitt wins the Doctoral Excellence Award in Genetics
The Doctoral Excellence Award in Biomedical Sciences is established to recognize outstanding graduate students in PhD programs at the School of Medicine. One student per PhD program is selected for exhibiting exceptional qualities in research, scholarship, service, and collaboration. Congrats to Matt who won the award in the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences!
Apr 1, 2019
Marissa Scavuzzo is awarded the 2019 Lehmann Outstanding Student Award from her alma mater
Congrats to Marissa who was awarded the 2019 Lehmann Award as an outstanding graduating student in Baylor’s College of Medicine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Marissa was also selected to give the commencement address at Baylor’s College of Medicine 2019 graduating class.
Mar 25, 2019
Zach Nevin matches at Johns Hopkins
Congratulations to Zach Nevin who matched at Johns Hopkins in their Pediatric Genetic Medicine Residency Program!
Jan 29, 2019
Paul Tesar is appointed to the Provost’s Strategic Planning Committee- the ‘Thinkers’
Paul Tesar is selected as a member of the Provost’s strategic planning committee. The “Thinkers” will identify and assess strategic choices for Case Western Reserve’s future.
Dec 21, 2018
Lucille Hu wins first place at the Intersections Poster Session in life sciences
Undergraduates presented their research and creative projects at the SOURCE Symposium and Poster Session. Congratulations to Lucille for winning first place in Life Sciences for her poster, “Investigating the Mechanisms of Oligodendrocyte Damage in Hypoxia-Induced White Matter Injury.”
Zach Nevin matches at Johns Hopkins
Congratulations to Zach Nevin who matched at Johns Hopkins in their Pediatric Genetic Medicine Residency Program!
Our latest work on Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease has been published in Stem Cell Reports. Congratulations to Matthew Elitt and the entire team for their efforts. Their work demonstrates the power of stem cell biology to uncover new pathological phases in this pediatric disease. These findings will be critical for the development of comprehensive therapies for patients.
May 11, 2017
Zach Nevin defends his thesis
Zach Nevin defends his PhD thesis titled, “Modeling Genetic Diseases of Myelin Using Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells”. Zach will return to medical school to finish his MD training as part of the MSTP program at CWRU.
Aug 23, 2017
Dan Factor defends his thesis
Congratulations to Dan Factor, who defended his thesis, “Understanding epigenetic controllers of stem cell fate and function”. Dan is the 4th PhD graduate from the Tesar Lab.
Mar 13, 2017
Modeling PMD
Our newest paper on modeling Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD) is out today in the American Journal of Human Genetics. Lead author Zach Nevin generated panels of hiPSCs and oligodendrocytes from 12 PMD patients spanning the genetic and clinical diversity of PMD—including point mutations, duplications, triplication, and deletions of PLP1—and developed an in vitro platform for molecular and cellular characterization of all 12 mutations simultaneously. Identification of unique, as well as shared, defects in PLP1 mRNA expression and splicing, OPC development, oligodendrocyte morphology, and myelination from this study will facilitate personalized treatments in the future.
Apr 14, 2016
Paul Tesar presents at the University of Louisville
Paul Tesar presents his seminar titled “Molecular Control of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Fate and Function” at the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at the University of Louisville.
Apr 1, 2016
Congratulation to Dr. Tyler Miller
Congratulation to Tyler Miller of the Tesar and Rich Labs on defending his thesis, “Identifying Novel in vivo Epigenetic Dependencies in Glioblastoma”. We wish Dr. Miller the best of luck as he goes back to Medical School this summer to finish the second part of his MD/PhD.
Apr 20, 2015
Existing drugs identified as potential MS treatments
Case Western Reserve scientists discovered that two common topical drugs appear to stimulate the production of oligodendrocytes to myelinate the central nervous system. The results of their investigation, published April 20, 2015 in Nature, give scientists cautious optimism that these drugs might effectively treat this disabling disease.
Mar 31, 2015
Congratulations to Dr. Angela Lager!
Congratulations to Angela Lager of the Tesar Lab for successfully defending her thesis, “Cell Reprogramming Technologies for Treatment and Understanding of Genetic Disorders of Myelin”. Best of luck to Dr. Lager as she moves on as a postdoc at the University of Wisconsin-Madison!
Jan 21, 2015
Paul Tesar named Outstanding Young Investigator from ISSCR
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has named Paul Tesar the Outstanding Young Investigator for 2015. The award “recognizes the exceptional achievements of an investigator in the early part of his or her independent career in stem cell research”. Paul will be honored with the award at the ISSCR Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden in June 2015.
Jul 22, 2014
Daniel Factor wins award at Cell Symposium
Congratulations to Tesar Lab graduate student Daniel Factor who recently attended the 2014 Cell Symposium on Transcriptional Regulation in Development in Chicago. At the conference, Factor was awarded the Joy Cappel 2014 Young Investigator Award for his work recently published in Cell Stem Cell. Factor also received a poster award for his work presented at the conference.
Jun 11, 2014
Discovery of “Seed” Enhancers
Check out our newest publication in Cell Stem Cell on the discovery of “Seed” Enhancers and their role in pluripotent stem cells. The finding stemmed from a synergy between the Tesar lab’s expertise in embryonic and epiblast stem cells and the genomics expertise of the Scacheri lab. Both labs are part of the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences at the CWRU School of Medicine.
Feb 27, 2014
Paul Tesar awarded the Dr. Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman Professor of Innovative Therapeutics
Cleveland area philanthropists Dr. Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman have a historic commitment to Research and Case Western Reserve University. Their outstanding generosity has supported education and research programs at the schools of medicine and dental medicine at CWRU. They have established two professorships, one of which was awarded to Paul Tesar.
Feb 26, 2014
Tesar lab awarded new grant from NINDS to advance novel therapeutics for multiple sclerosis
The Tesar lab was recently awarded a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to advance therapeutics for multiple sclerosis. The Tesar lab’s expertise in stem cell biology and high throughput screening provides a unique opportunity to discover innovative therapeutics that could halt devastating diseases.
Apr 14, 2013
Discovery of induced-oligodendrocyte progenitors holds great promise for medicine
The Tesar lab has unlocked the potential to produce oligodendrocyte progenitors through a novel technique. This technique, published in Nature Biotechnology, involves directly converting fibroblasts into oligodendrocyte progenitors.
Feb 28, 2013
Are online classes the wave of the future?
Paul Tesar was recently filmed in a RENEW online course. The RENEW initiative is focused on collecting videotaped courses and sharing these courses with students all over the world. Paul was elated to be part of the initiative by sharing his session on reprogramming technology. Paul hopes to make contagious his passion for science and inspire the next generation of scientists.
Feb 28, 2013
Tesar lab graduate student Angela Lager awarded training fellowship
Congratulations to Angela Lager for being awarded an Individual Training Fellowship supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Feb 28, 2013
Zach Nevin is awarded a project grant from the PMD Foundation
MD/PhD student Zach Nevin is awarded the James Y Garbern Research Project Grant to conduct his work on PMD patient specific induced pluripotent stem cell lines.
Jan 8, 2013
Paul Tesar visits the University of Edinburgh in Scotland
Paul Tesar was invited to speak at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His talk was titled, “Stem cell and reprogramming technologies for the study and treatment of myelin diseases”. Paul is grateful to his colleagues and friends at the University of Edinburgh and hopes to return in the near future.
Apr 22, 2012
Tesar and Scacheri lab retreat 2012
The Tesar and Scacheri labs traveled to a lodge in Logan, Ohio for their First Annual Lab Retreat. The event consisted of a ‘Lab Olympics’ competition, teambuilding exercises, talking science, having fun, and eating lots of great food! Thanks to everyone, especially Angela Lager, Olivia Corradin, and Cynthia Bartels, for making the event a great success.
May 22, 2012
Congratulations to Angela Lager for her award winning work
Tesar Lab graduate student Angela Lager has presented her work “Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts to Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells” and won the following awards: CWRU 25th Annual Biomedical Graduate Student Symposium, Vance Lemmon Award, CWRU 1st Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium, Best Poster.
Apr 23, 2012
Tesar lab graduate student Dan Factor attends conference in China
Tesar Lab graduate student Dan Factor attended and presented his work, “Epigenomic analysis identifies cell type specific regulatory elements of distinct pluripotent states” at a conference in China. The conference was Cold Spring Harbor Asia: Epigenetics, Chromatin & Transcription and held in Suzhou Dushu Lake China.
Feb 24, 2012
Tesar lab attends Gordon Research Conference in Galveston, Texas
Tesar lab graduate students Angela Lager and Bobby Karl went to sunny Galveston, Texas for the Gordon Research Conference titled, “Reprogramming Cell Fate”. Angela presented her work on reprogramming somatic cell fate into the oligodendrocyte lineage.
See the Correspondence in Nature by Paul Tesar and Insoo Hyun.
Work done in labs part of the New York Stem Cell Foundation uncovered that pluripotent stem cells could be made by fusing somatic cells and human oocytes. Tesar and Hyun discuss the scientific impact and ethical implications.
Check out our recently published paper in Nature Methods, “Rapid and robust generation of functional oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from epiblast stem cells”. In this study we demonstrated a platform for the effective and robust production of functional oligodendrocytes from pluripotent stem cells. These oligodendrocytes are a priceless resource to discovering powerful therapeutics that will treat and possibly cure myelin disorders.
This review by Paul Tesar and Bob Miller is of work conducted at the University of Rochester in the lab of Steven Goldman. The Goldman lab identified CD140a as an appropriate marker of human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.
Aug 28, 2010
Paul Tesar named Robertson Investigator of the New York Stem Cell Foundation
Paul Tesar was named one of four Robertson Investigators of the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) in 2010. The Robertson Investigator Award is awarded to early career investigators exploring the therapeutic potential of human stem cells. Winners are singled out for their potential to innovate in the field of Translational Stem Cell Research.