Ira Mellman

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Ira Mellman, Ph.D. is an American cell biologist who discovered endosomes. He serves as Director of Research Oncology at Genentech in South San Francisco, California.

1 Research
2 Early Life and Studies
3 Move to Yale and Later Years
4 Trivia
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Research

Mellman's work has examined the role of endocytosis in cell metabolism and human disease. He was among the first to characterize the endosomal system. Later projects include investigation of LDL cholesterol receptor internalization, cellular sorting machinery, and the cellular basis for immunity.

[edit] Early Life and Studies

Mellman grew up in New York, where he lived until he enrolled at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. While in college he maintained an interest in music but focused on the rapidly expanding field of cell biology.

[edit] Move to Yale and Later Years

After leaving Oberlin, he enrolled in the graduate program at theUC Berkeley, but later transferred to Yale University. He returned to Yale after completing postdoctoral work and remained there as a professor for over twenty years. During this time he wasSterling Professor of Cell Biology & Immunobiology, chair of the Cell Biology Department, Scientific Director of the Yale Cancer Center and a member of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Mellman has served on the council of the American Society for Cell Biology and is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cell Biology.

In 1977, he married Margaret Moench; the couple have three children.

[edit] Trivia

Mellman keeps a picture of WTOP reporter and anchorman Ira Mellman on the front of his door.
Mellman plays bass in his own rock band called "The Cellmates."