Research Topics
Training Areas
Education
MD, Johannes Gutenberg University
MedicineMD, PhD, Charité University
Medicine, ImmunologyPostdoc, The Rockefeller University
Neuroscience
Biography
Click here for more information on Dr. Schaefer's 2012 Director’s New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Dr. Schaefer is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Psychiatry and a Seaver Fellow at the Friedman Brain Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She did her graduate studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, the Charité University Berlin and The Rockefeller University in New York. In the fall of 2004 she joined Dr. Paul Greengard's Laboratory at The Rockefeller University where she completed her postdoctoral studies and was promoted to Research Associate in 2007 and Senior Research Associate in 2009. She joined the Friedman Brain Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine to start her own laboratory in 2011. Her research is focused on understanding how epigenetic mechanisms contribute to maintenance of specialized neuronal functions and their alteration during psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
Visit Anne Schaefer's Laboratory of Brain Epigenetics for more information.
Awards
2012 - 2017
2012 Director’s New Innovator Award
National Institutes of Health (NIH)2011 - 2014
Research Award
Seaver Autism Center2011 - 2013
NARSAD 2010 Young Investigator Award
NARSAD2006 - 2008
Research Fellowship
German Research Foundation (DFG)2005 - 2005
Hans-Hench Award
German Society for Immunology2001 - 2003
USA Research Scholarship
The German National Academic Foundation1999 - 2001
Scholarship
The German National Academic Foundation
Research
Our research focuses on identifying the epigenetic basis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. We study how miRNAs and histone modifying enzymes contribute to the establishment and maintenance of neuronal identity and specialized functions. We are particularly interested in understanding the epigenetic mechanisms of cellular plasticity and its role in regulation of microglia-neuron communication. One of the major focuses of our research lies in the development of animal models of human neurological disease associated with abnormal function of epigenetic regulators of different types. Using pioneering technologies including cell type specific analysisof mRNAs, miRNAs and chromatin modifications in neurons in vivo, our research aims at understanding the mechanism of neurological disorders and at their potential treatment by targeting the neuronal epigenome.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Melanie von Schimmelmann
Research Personnel: Philip Feinberg
PhD Student: Andrew Browne
Volunteer: Rayees Rahman
Publications
O'Carroll D, Schaefer A. General Principals of miRNA Biogenesis and Regulation in the Brain. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2012 Jun;.
Schaefer A, Tarakhovsky A, Greengard P. Epigenetic mechanisms of mental retardation. Progress in drug research. Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung. Progrès des recherches pharmaceutiques 2011; 67.
Schaefer A, Im HI, Venø MT, Fowler CD, Min A, Intrator A, Kjems J, Kenny PJ, O'Carroll D, Greengard P. Argonaute 2 in dopamine 2 receptor-expressing neurons regulates cocaine addiction. The Journal of Experimental Medicine 2010 Aug; 207(9): Cover page.
Maze I, Covington HE, Dietz DM, LaPlant Q, Renthal W, Russo SJ, Mechanic M, Mouzon E, Neve RL, Haggarty SJ, Ren Y, Sampath SC, Hurd YL, Greengard P, Tarakhovsky A, Schaefer A, Nestler EJ. Essential role of the histone methyltransferase G9a in cocaine-induced plasticity. Science 2010 Jan; 327(5962).
Schaefer A, Sampath SC, Intrator A, Min A, Gertler TS, Surmeier DJ, Tarakhovsky A, Greengard P. Control of cognition and adaptive behavior by the GLP/G9a epigenetic suppressor complex. Neuron 2009 Dec; 64(5).
Heiman M, Schaefer A, Gong S, Peterson JD, Day M, Ramsey KE, Suárez-Fariñas M, Schwarz C, Stephan DA, Surmeier DJ, Greengard P, Heintz N. A translational profiling approach for the molecular characterization of CNS cell types. Cell 2008 Nov; 135(4): Cover page.
Schaefer A, O'Carroll D, Tan CL, Hillman D, Sugimori M, Llinas R, Greengard P. Cerebellar neurodegeneration in the absence of microRNAs. The Journal of Experimental Medicine 2007 Jul; 204(7): Cover page .
Meffre E, Schaefer A, Wardemann H, Wilson P, Davis E, Nussenzweig MC. Surrogate light chain expressing human peripheral B cells produce self-reactive antibodies. The Journal of Experimental Medicine 2004 Jan; 199(1).
Wardemann H, Yurasov S, Schaefer A, Young JW, Meffre E, Nussenzweig MC. Predominant autoantibody production by early human B cell precursors. Science 2003 Sep; 301(5638).
Industry Relationships
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Dr. Schaefer did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry during 2012 and/or 2013: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website at http://icahn.mssm.edu/about-us/services-and-resources/faculty-resources/handbooks-and-policies/faculty-handbook. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.
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