Oleg Butovsky
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
Associate Professor of Neurology
Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA | USA
Dr. Oleg Butovsky’s laboratory is internationally acclaimed for its pioneering work in redefining microglia and exploring the complex interactions between peripheral innate immunity and the brain throughout development, homeostasis, aging, and various neurodegenerative diseases. His work has significantly influenced the fields of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and glaucoma by identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Dr. Butovsky earned his Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, where his research laid the groundwork for subsequent advances in the understanding of microglia. His laboratory collaborates extensively with prestigious institutions, including MIT, the Broad Institute, and other prominent laboratories at Harvard. This collaborative spirit has contributed to landmark findings, such as the discovery of TGFβ-dependent homeostatic microglia and the characterization of the neurodegenerative MGnD-microglia phenotype, which is regulated by the TREM2-APOE pathway. These investigations have spurred the creation of innovative tools that enhance the study of microglial biology in both healthy and diseased states and have driven further inquiry into the central and peripheral innate immune system’s role in neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Butovsky’s recent accomplishments underscore his enduring commitment to advancing neurology. His research has led to the identification of specific regulatory molecules that serve as both biomarkers and targets for imaging and therapeutic interventions for diseases such as AD, ALS, MS, and glaucoma. His prolific contributions have placed him on Clarivate’s list of highly cited researchers for the past five years. Notably, he was honored as a leading global expert in microglia during World Alzheimer’s Day in 2021.
In 2023 and 2024, Dr. Butovsky established two companies, General Biophysics and Glial Therapeutics, which have secured NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) awards to support Phase 1 clinical trials, which will start in early 2025. These trials aim to evaluate the safety and immune response elicited by Xenon gas inhalation in healthy individuals, a precursor to potential Alzheimer’s disease treatment applications. His dedication and innovative approaches were further recognized when he was appointed the inaugural holder of the Howard L. Weiner Distinguished Chair in Neurology in 2024, an honor endowed by Ann and Mitt Romney.
A recent New York Times feature highlighted Dr. Butovsky’s collaborative research efforts, focusing on his team’s quest to discover and develop new drugs targeting neurodegenerative diseases. This work, which includes the investigation of APOE’s role in microglial regulation during disease progression, has been bolstered by his involvement in a consortium funded by the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. The knowledge gained from these investigations is expected to answer critical questions about microglial function in neurodegenerative disorders and facilitate the development of immune-based therapies for conditions such as AD, ALS, and MS.