Marc Diamond, M.D.
Marc is a neurologist and scientist renowned for over 20 years of work on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s and related tauopathies. His foundational research introduced and advanced the idea that tau protein—central to multiple neurodegenerative diseases—functions as a prion. He was the first to observe that tau forms highly ordered, toxic assemblies (also termed amyloids) with unique structures. These assemblies are mobile, and spread pathology in the brain by exiting one cell, entering another, and serving as templates that recruit native protein into pathological aggregates. Marc defined the concept of tau prion strains as the underlying cause of diverse neurodegenerative conditions, each caused by distinct amyloid structures. He also identified key cellular mechanisms underlying tau prion propagation. Taken together, these discoveries have become central to our understanding of the molecular basis of Alzheimer’s and other disorders driven by amyloid accumulation, providing critical insights that are guiding new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Marc’s lab has trained numerous undergraduate, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to prestigious scientific careers. His work is widely cited, and he is a sought-after speaker at universities and scientific meetings worldwide.