Edward Kravitz

Edward Kravitz
Born (1932-12-19) December 19, 1932 (age 91)
Alma materCity College of New York (BS)
University of Michigan (PhD)
Known forIdentifying gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter
Awards
Scientific career
FieldsNeuroscience
InstitutionsNational Institute of Health
Harvard Medical School
Doctoral studentsMargaret Livingstone
Thomas Schwarz

Edward Arthur Kravitz (born December 19, 1932) is an American neuroscientist who is the George Packer Berry Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School.[1] He is widely recognized for demonstrating that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) functions as a neurotransmitter.[2] In addition, he and Antony Stretton were the first to use the intracellular dye procion yellow to visualize neuronal architecture.[3]

Kravitz's work with neuroamines demonstrated that serotonin and octopamine act as synaptic modulators. Kravitz continued to explore the function of amines using Homarus americanus, the American lobster, as a model organism to study aggression. He currently works on aggressive behavior using the genetically manipulable model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly.

  1. ^ "Edward Kravitz - Department of Neurobiology". neuro.hms.harvard.edu. February 2022.
  2. ^ Gelder, N. M. Van; Potter, D. D.; Kravitz, E. A. (1 April 1962). "Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Other Blocking Substances extracted from Crab Muscle". Nature. 194 (4826): 382–383. doi:10.1038/194382b0. PMID 14459471.
  3. ^ Kravitz, E. A.; Stretton, A. O. W. (4 October 1968). "Neuronal Geometry: Determination with a Technique of Intracellular Dye Injection". Science. 162 (3849): 132–134. doi:10.1126/science.162.3849.132. PMID 4175300.