Dr. Gage’s lab showed that, contrary to accepted dogma, human beings are capable of growing new nerve cells throughout life. Small populations of immature nerve cells are found in the adult mammalian brain. The lab is working to understand how these cells can be induced to become mature functioning nerve cells in the adult brain and spinal cord. Dr. Gage and his colleagues have found that environmental enrichment and physical exercise can enhance neurogenesis, and they are studying the underlying mechanisms that may be harnessed to repair the aged and damaged brain and spinal cord. In addition, he models human neurological and psychiatric disease in vitro using human stem cells.

Dr. Gage, a Professor in the Laboratory of Genetics, joined The Salk Institute in 1995. Prior to joining Salk, Dr. Gage was a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego. He received his Ph.D. in 1976 from The Johns Hopkins University.