An Obituary to Jacques Glowinski (1936–2020)

This is an obituary of Dr. Jacques Glowinski (1936-2020), one the last « giants » Neuropharmacology trained in sixties laboratory Julius Axelrod (Nobel Prize 1970). He was a founding father this discipline France and his famous (INSERM Unit 114) at Collège de Paris has for 40 years (1966-2006) generations fellows who became leader neuroscientists abroad. His most important scientific contributions completely revisited regulatory mechanisms central dopaminergic neurotransmission its implications neuropsychiatric disorders. courtyard during “his” renovation works (2006). Picture courtesy Dr Marie-Lou Kemel. Glowinski, Glo as everybody fondly called him beyond, Neuropharmacology, sadly died from complications Covid-19, on November 4, 2020. early major contributors to France. Many Paris, established themselves throughout world (in Europe, United States, Mexico, Canada, Uruguay…) are still very active basic clinical neuroscience research (Glowinski, 2007). Jacques, », someone exceptionally charismatic, deeply human, warm, generous, faithful friendship, knew how make people around happy. At barely 30 old, he group small space provided by Pr. Alfred Fessard. group, which famously known NB (for Neuropharmacologie Biochimique, i.e. Biochemical Neuropharmacology), few later so 114 INSERM (the French Institute Health Medical Research), with internationally acknowledged success over subsequent four decades. Numerous visitors colleagues came all give seminars stays various durations. All them, including ourselves had fortune privilege work many years, kept memory warm friendly laboratory. Typically, intensely day started meeting tea or coffee, then, lunch meal (dishes like home, what treat!) prepared two lovely ladies, Simone Suzanne, served 5 p.m. These moments were opportunity meet, talk about science course, but also our lives world, family-like atmosphere extremely favorable creativity profound dedication research. One year, after summer 1976, when financial support low, even proposed collaborators weeks break repaint laboratory, badly needed. The achieved cheerfully everyone, David L. Nelson, young US post-doc just arrived Denver Co, before, back road snap renovated stimulating environment energized bonded Glo's leadership. As wrote inspiring autobiographic book, written François Cardinali, Le cerveau-architecte (Glowinski & 2016), born 1936 family Jewish immigrants Poland did not have privileged preparatory background graduate studies. parents owned fur shop workroom child Nazi occupation but, fortunately, captured because hidden part farm middle After Liberation, grew up clothing business worked end week salesperson eke out existence. Under influence uncle Henri, pharmacist, resistant fighter communist, become interested studies well handball that played high (international university) level. Curious, bright, hard-working, moved toward studying Pharmacy fall fifties, already showing keen interest brain research, received parallel training Faculty Sciences University. On occasion examination where presented first carried Pasteur Institute, chemical synthesis tritiated catecholamines, met Denise Albe-Fessard, professor Neurophysiology. She come Marey top Parisian site area time, headed her husband, Fessard, holder chair Neurophysiology Strongly impressed energy, vivid intelligence brightness, Fessards (known respectfully ‘Monsieur Madame Fessard’) pointed promising development new discipline—Neuropharmacology—at NIH Bethesda, under impetus Seymour Kety, Irwin Kopin (‘Julie’) (who Nobel Physiology Medicine Contact made, seduced Julie, 1963, he, wife Isabelle their son, Stéphane, boarded liner, France, heading 2-year visit Bethesda. In Julie Axelrod's teamed Leslie Iversen Solomon Snyder, becoming close friend both. Together revealed full measure talents leading discoveries catecholamine uptake catabolism, mechanism action antidepressant drugs newly introduced into clinics. innovative technique intracerebroventricular microinjections rat allowed activity catecholaminergic systems diverse areas demonstrate blockade noradrenaline tricyclic imipramine chemically related compounds Axelrod, 1964). discovery paved way selective reuptake inhibitors treatment depression. numerous histamine, other neurochemicals, led publication some 20 papers, classics Neuropharmacology. article (1966) regional differences turnover, described simple dissecting biochemical fact highly cited ever published Journal Neurochemistry (more than 5,700 citations!). Indeed, favorite journals, 63 papers there, productive career 600 original papers; Web Science). When returned late 1965, rapidly obtained researcher position INSERM, Pr Fessard department. vision be built reality took task, national international glory we know. attracted several students Anne-Marie Thierry, Marie-Jo Besson, Javoy, Francis Héry, talented individuals technical schools, André Chéramy Gérard Blanc. Very soon, joined clinicians spent internships scientists pharmaceutical industry. Kety Louis Sokoloff, friends NIH, sabbaticals helped launch further. exceptional saw pinnacle approaches neurotransmitter release vivo, rat, cat monkey, vitro (from slices cells culture). study fine discrete vivo demonstration preferential role synthesized monoamines neuromodulation (Besson et al., 1969; Javoy 1971). more conceptual level, developed idea three integrated systems, executive (sensori-motor cognitive), modulatory (monoamines, neuropeptides), metabolic (glial cells) contributions, fully attended lectures Throughout these Jacques’ ‘Glo's lab’, welcomed enlarged convenient environment, multidisciplinary approach boasting wide array cutting edge technologies, molecular cellular neurophysiology, immunocytochemistry, cell culture, pharmacology, thorough behavior. extensive neuropharmacological applied only monoamines, neurotransmitters such acetylcholine, neuropeptides (particularly substance P enkephalins), glutamate, GABA. Over included (1) identification meso-cortical pathway, characterization cognitive functions (Thierry 1973) antipsychotics, (2) dendritic dopamine substantia nigra importance regulation nigro-striatal neurons autoreceptors (Chéramy 1981; Nieoullon 1977), (3) key interactions between astrocytes neuronal differentiation (Denis-Donini 1984), (4) gap junctions connexins astrocyte networks (Giaume 1991), (5) multiple receptors serotonin (Gozlan 1983), (Beaujouan 2000), without forgetting (6) analysis validated animal models diseases (Agid 1973). recognition elected Professor (chair 1982–2006) member Academy (1992). participated board (1982–1993) prestigious awards (Richard Lounsbery prize, 1986; Grand prix la Fondation pour Recherche Médicale 2002; Inserm Honour 2005; Life Achievement Award European College Neuropsychopharmacology, 2008, name few). appointed President Society Neurosciences (1995–1999) launching Neuroscience Association (later FENS). A man conviction dialogue, establish efficient links academic medicine, physicians, department heads, inspired humanistic concepts revisit neurology psychiatry. soon company Rhône-Poulenc (which Sanofi merger/acquisition process). By hosting Unit, contributed company's laboratories strategies targeted neuro-psychiatric diseases. respect, visionary promoting private-public rare time required courage resist criticisms world. Ironically, critics followed example. open mindedness help Bernard Esambert Fédération sur le Cerveau, united patient associations private foundations experience, Glowinski's whole ‘Administrateur’ (Director, 2000–2006). 1991, involved Projects operation renovate Miquel, Director entrusted lead. then able undertake successfully attain been dream since arrival place, reorganize institution whose buildings poor shape. aim restore it good conditions host provide level education large audience, center intellectual life sciences humanities It should noted unique institution, created 1530 King 1st, contrast perceived dogmatic Sorbonne. Its mission always all, restrictive requirements authority obligation deliver professional degrees. For successful undertaking, highest official honors. process renovations, unraveled facets personality, specifically remarkable drawing skills steadfast passion architecture, upon 2006, Emeritus, play reorganization vast Paris-Saclay University campus innovation. levels now constitute immense legacy, long-lasting impact advocacy organization dear neuroscientist caring entrepreneurial spirit great personal warmth. combination profoundly influenced those him, making unforgettable. will missed. May rest peace. JA Girault 1982–1985 1990–1999, M Hamon 1968–1984, B Scatton (former Vice-President Discovery Sanofi) collaborated 1970–1976 2000–2008. authors thank Christopher G. Goetz (Rush Center, Chicago IL60612) Fiona (Institut du Fer à Moulin, UMR-S 1270, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Paris) careful editing Kemel picture courtesy.