Ira Mellman
Encyclopedia
Ira Mellman, Ph.D. is an American cell biologist
who discovered endosomes. He serves as Vice President of Research Oncology at Genentech
in South San Francisco, California.
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.
in Oberlin, Ohio
. While in college he maintained an interest in music but focused on the rapidly expanding field of cell biology.
, 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 was the Sterling 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 was the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cell Biology
from 1999-2008, he remains active as a Senior Editor for the journal.
In 1977, he married Margaret Moench; the couple have three children.
Cell biology
Cell biology is a scientific discipline that studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level...
who discovered endosomes. He serves as Vice President of Research Oncology at Genentech
Genentech
Genentech Inc., or Genetic Engineering Technology, Inc., is a biotechnology corporation, founded in 1976 by venture capitalist Robert A. Swanson and biochemist Dr. Herbert Boyer. Trailing the founding of Cetus by five years, it was an important step in the evolution of the biotechnology industry...
in South San Francisco, California.
Research
Mellman's work has examined the role of endocytosisEndocytosis
Endocytosis is a process by which cells absorb molecules by engulfing them. It is used by all cells of the body because most substances important to them are large polar molecules that cannot pass through the hydrophobic plasma or cell membrane...
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.
Early Life and Studies
Mellman grew up in New York, where he lived until he enrolled at Oberlin CollegeOberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
in Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States, to the south and west of Cleveland. Oberlin is perhaps best known for being the home of Oberlin College, a liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students...
. While in college he maintained an interest in music but focused on the rapidly expanding field of cell biology.
Move to Yale and Later Years
After leaving Oberlin, he enrolled in the graduate program at the UC BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, but later transferred to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. He returned to Yale after completing postdoctoral work and remained there as a professor for over twenty years. During this time he was the Sterling Professor
Sterling Professor
A Sterling Professorship is the highest academic rank at Yale University, awarded to a tenured faculty member considered one of the best in his or her field...
of Cell Biology
Cell biology
Cell biology is a scientific discipline that studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level...
& Immunobiology, chair of the Cell Biology Department, Scientific Director of the Yale Cancer Center and a member of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd is a global non-profit medical research institute that undertakes laboratory and clinical research into cancer, conducting and sponsoring its own early-phase clinical trials to investigate its discoveries....
. Mellman has served on the council of the American Society for Cell Biology
The American Society for Cell Biology
American Society for Cell Biology is a learned society that was founded in 1960.Its mission statement states:- History :On 6 April 1959 the United States National Academy of Sciences passed a resolution for the establishment of a "national society of cell biology to act as a national...
and was the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cell Biology
Journal of Cell Biology
The Journal of Cell Biology is an international, peer-reviewed journal owned by The Rockefeller University and published by The Rockefeller University Press.- History :...
from 1999-2008, he remains active as a Senior Editor for the journal.
In 1977, he married Margaret Moench; the couple have three children.
Trivia
- Mellman keeps a picture of former WTOPWTOP-FMWTOP is an all-news formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Washington, D.C., serving Metropolitan Washington, DC area. WTOP is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting.WTOP is one of two all-news stations in the Washington, D.C...
reporter and anchorman Ira Mellman on the front of his door. - Mellman plays bass in his own rock band called "The Cellmates."