John A. Barranger, M.D., Ph.D., is a tenured professor in the departments of human genetics, molecular genetics and biochemistry, and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh.
He is also director of the Human Gene Therapy Applications Laboratory, the Center for the Study and Treatment of Jewish Genetic Diseases, and the Comprehensive Gaucher Disease Treatment Center. Additionally, he is co-director of the Human Gene Therapy Center.
Previously, Dr. Barranger was a clinical associate at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where, from 1976 to 1978, he served in the clinical investigations and therapeutics section, Developmental and Metabolic Neurology Branch (DMNB), National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke. He ultimately became chief of the molecular and medical genetics section of the DMNB and associate branch chief. Dr. Barranger received a doctorate and medical degree from the University of Southern California Los Angeles, and completed an internship and residency in pediatrics at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Barranger has devoted his professional career to the study of inherited metabolic diseases, particularly lysosomal storage disorders. His research interests include biochemical and molecular genetics, enzyme therapy, gene transfer, and models of genetic disease. As a result of his investigation of the structure of glucocerebrosidase and receptors on macrophages, Dr. Barranger developed successful enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher disease, an inherited, potentially lethal lysosomal disorder that affects more than 10,000 people in the United States.
This therapy received Food and Drug Administration approval in 1991 and serves as a treatment model for more than 50 related lysosomal storage disorders.
Currently, Dr. Barranger is focused on developing models of inherited diseases to study their pathobiology and treatment by enzyme and gene therapy.Included among Dr Barranger's honors are the March of Dimes Health Career Award, United States Public Health Service Commendation Medal, Arthur S. Flemming Award and the Scientific Achievement Award of the National Gaucher Foundation.
In addition to consulting for government and industry, Dr Barranger is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, American Society of Human Genetics, Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, and the Society for Pediatric Research.
Mario A. Cabrera-Salazar, MD is a Staff Scientist at Genzyme Corporation in Framingham. MA. He is involved in the development of enzymatic and gene therapies for lysosomal storage disorders and for neurodegenerative diseases in the department of Genetic Disease Science.