Brian J. Balin, PhD, is is a tenured Professor of Neuroscience and Neuropathology in the Department of Bio-Medical Sciences at PCOM, teaching in both the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Master's in Biomedical Sciences programs. He lectures and participates in case presentations and laboratory sessions on a variety of subjects including: neuroscience, neuroanatomy, neurodegeneration, neuropathology, general pathology, molecular basis of cancer and infectious disease.
In addition, Dr. Balin is the Director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (CCDA), an Osteopathic Heritage Foundation endowed center, as well as the Director of the Adolph and Rose Levis Foundation Laboratory for Alzheimer's Disease Research.
Dr. Balin is an internationally recognized expert in the field of Alzheimer's disease research and has been studying the links between infection and Alzheimer's disease for the past 25 years. His research interests include: Infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae as a trigger in the neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease, effects of infection and inflammation on the blood brain barrier in cerebrovascular disease, and pathogenesis of chronic disease associated with the aging process. Further, he has studied modification of neuronal cytoskeletal proteins including neurofilament assembly and subsequent tau protein modifications resulting in neurofibrillary tangle formation through phosphorylation and the actions of transglutaminase. With a background in microbiology, pathology and experimental neuropathology, he brings a unique perspective to infection associated with Alzheimer's, specifically on the involvement of the respiratory pathogen Chlamydia pneumoniae and its association with this disease.
Dr. Balin has received numerous National Institutes of Health and private foundation grant awards for his research. He is highly published in peer-reviewed journals, and has written a number of chapters and reviews on the pathology of Alzheimer's disease, including reviews on the "Pathogen Hypothesis" of this disease. In addition, he has presented and continues to present his work at major national and international scientific meetings including a number of international and world congresses on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Dr. Balin has received numerous National Institutes of Health and private foundation grant awards for his research. His research interests include:
NIH/NIA - R29-AG10160 ; - PI; "The neuronal cytoskeleton in aging and Alzheimer's Disease".(4/1/92-3/31/97).
AHERF Neurosciences Grant (G9410-020-Y01) - Co-PI; "Differential expression and sorting of the neuron-specific class III b-tubulin isotype in human neuronal and neuroendocrine tumor cell lines maintained in an organ culture system". (2/1/95-1/31/96).
NIH/NIAID - R01- AI44055-01A1 - coPI; “Chlamydia pneumoniae: a pathogen in Alzheimer’s Disease?” (06/01/99 - 05/31/04).
NIH/ R15-co investigator- "Immunosenescence and Chlamydia Pneumoniae " (05/01/00-6/30/02)
Adolf and Rose Levis Foundation - PI -“The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease”. (1/01/2003- present)
IIRG – Alzheimer’s Association – PI: “Chlamydia pneumoniae infection of mice triggers Alzheimer-like pathology” (09/1/04 – 08/31/07).
Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowment – PI (Director, CCDA ) – “Endowment for the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging”. (12/8/06 - present).
The IHVR (Institute for Hepatitis and Virus Research) through a DCED (Department of Community and Economic Development) Innovation Grant from the State of Pennsylvania called “Talent Scout for Technology” – PI: “The case for an infectious etiology of late onset Alzheimer’s disease “ (01/01/11 – 12/31/11).
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