Benjamin Weiss (scientist)

In 2001, Drexel University College of Medicine established a Graduate Student Fellowship in his name. He was named as one of the Top One Thousand Most Quoted Contemporary Scientists in the World. He has received awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild and a medal issued jointly by the Token and Medal Society and the American Israel Numismatic Association.

47. Weiss, Benjamin; Davidkova, Genoveva; Zhou, Long-Wu (1999).”Antisense RNA gene therapy for studying and modulating biological processes” Cell Mol. Life Sci.55(3): 334–358. doi:10.1007/s000180050296 PMID 10228554

46. Davidkova, Genoveva; Zhou, Long-Wu; Morabito, Mark; Zhang, Sui-Po; Weiss, Benjamin (1998). “D2 dopamine antisense RNA expression vector, unlike haloperidol, produces long-term inhibition of D2 dopamine-mediated behaviors without causing up-regulation of D2 dopamine receptors” J. Pharmacol. Exper. Therapeutics 285(3): 1187–1196. PMID 9618422

48. Hou, Wang-Fang; Zhang, Sui-Po; Davidkova, Genoveva; Nichols, Robert; Weiss, Benjamin (1998) “Effects on antisense oligonucleotides directed to individual calmodulin gene transcripts on the proliferation and differentiation of PC12 cells” Antisense Nucleic Acids Drug Dev. 8(4): 295–308. doi:10.1089/oli.1.1998.8.295 PMID 9743467

2. Weiss, B.: Editor: Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides and Antisense RNA: Novel Pharmacological and Therapeutic Agents CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 1997.

44. Weiss, Benjamin; Zhang, Sui-Po; Zhou, Long-Wu (1997) “Antisense strategies in dopamine receptor pharmacology” Life Sciences60(7): 433–455. doi:10.1016/S0024-3205(96)00566-8 PMID 9042372

45. Weiss, Benjamin; Davidkova, Genoveva; Zhou, Long-Wu, Zhang, Sui-Po, Morabito, Mark (1997). “Expression of a D2 dopamine receptor antisense RNA in brain inhibits D2-mediated behaviors” Neurochemistry International31(4): 571–580. doi:10.1016/S0197-0186(97)00025-9 PMID 9308007

49. Davidkova, Genoveva; Zhang, Sui-Po; Nichols, Robert; Weiss, Benjamin (1996) “Reduced level of calmodulin in PC12 cells induced by stable expression of calmodulin antisense RNA inhibits cell proliferation and induces neurite outgrowth” Neuroscience75(4): 1003–1019. doi:10.1016/0306-4522(96)00230-8 PMID 8938737

43. Zhang, Sui-Po; Long-Wu, Zhou; Weiss, Benjamin (1994). “Oligodeoxynucleotide to the D1 dopamine receptor mRNA inhibits D1 dopamine receptor-mediated behaviors in normal mice and in mice lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine” J. Pharmacol. Experimental Ther.271(3): 1462- 1470. PMID 7996459

42. Weiss, Benjamin; Long-Wu, Zhou; Zhang, Sui-Po; Qin Z-H. (1993). “Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibits D2 dopamine receptor-mediated behavior and D2 messenger RNA” Neuroscience55(3): 607–612. https:// doi:10.1016/0306-4522(93)90426-G PMID 8413923

28. Weiss, B., Prozialeck, W.C. and Roberts‑Lewis, J.M.: Development of selective inhibitors of calmodulin‑dependent phosphodiesterase and adenylate cyclase; in Design of Enzyme Inhibitors as Drugs, ed. M. Sandler and H.J. Smith, Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 650‑697, 1989.

23. Earl CQ, Prozialeck WC, Weiss B.: Interaction of alpha adrenergic antagonists with calmodulin. Life Sci. 1984 Jul 30;35(5):525-34. PMID 6146911.

29. Weiss, B., Greenberg, L.H. and Clark, M.B.: Physiological and pharmacological modulation of the beta-adrenergic receptor-linked adenylate cyclase system: supersensitivity and subsensitivity. In: Dynamics of Neurotransmitter Function, ed. I. Hanin, Raven Press, New York, pp. 319–330, 1984.

22. Barnette, M.S. and Weiss, B.: Interaction of neuropeptides with calmodulin. A structure‑activity study. Psychopharmacol. Bull., 19:387‑392, 1983.

27. Weiss, B., Earl, C. and Prozialeck, W.C.: Biochemical and possible neuropsychopharmacological implications of inhibiting calmodulin activity. Psychopharmacol. Bull., 19:378‑386, 1983.

21. Sellinger‑Barnette, M. and Weiss, B.: Interaction of beta‑endorphin and other opioid peptides with calmodulin. Mol. Pharmacol. 21:86‑91, 1982.

26. Prozialeck, W.C. and Weiss, B.: Inhibition of calmodulin by phenothiazines and related drugs; structure‑activity relationships. J. Pharmacol. Exptl. Therap. 222:509‑516, 1982.

8. Weiss, B., Prozialeck, W., Cimino, M., Barnette, M.S. and Wallace, T.L.: Pharmacological regulation of calmodulin. In: Calmodulin and Cell Functions, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 356:319‑345, 1980. PMID 6112947

36. Weiss, B., Greenberg, L.H. and Cantor, E.: Denervation supersensitivity and beta-adrenergic receptors as a function of age. In: Receptors for Neurotransmitters and Peptide Hormones, eds. G. Pepeu, M.J. Kuhar and S.J. Enna, Raven Press, New York, p 461–472, 1980.

40. Weiss, B. and Greenberg, L.H.: Modulation of beta-adrenergic receptors and calmodulin following acute and chronic treatment with neuroleptics. In: Adv. Biochem. Psychopharmacol., Vol. 24 - Long-Term Effects of Neuroleptics, eds. F. Cattabeni, G. Racagni, P.F. Spano and E. Costa, Raven Press, New York, pp. 139–146, 1980.

16. Hait, W.N. and Weiss, B.: Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase of normal and leukemic lymphocytes: kinetic properties and selective alteration of the activity of the multiple molecular forms. Mol. Pharmacol. 16:851‑864, 1979.

19. Levin, R.M. and Weiss, B.: Selective binding of antipsychotics and other psychoactive agents to the calcium‑dependent activator of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 208:454‑459, 1979.

37. Greenberg, L.H. and Weiss, B.: Ability of aged rats to alter beta-adrenergic receptors of brain in response to repeated administration of reserpine and desmethylimipramine. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 211:309-316, 1979.

13. Levin, R.M. and Weiss, B.: Characteristics of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in a transplantable pheochromocytoma and adrenal medulla of the rat. Cancer Res. 38:915‑920, 1978.

20. Levin, R.M. and Weiss, B.: Specificity of the binding of trifluoperazine to the calcium‑dependent activator of phosphodiesterase and to a series of other calcium‑binding proteins. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 540:197‑204, 1978. (b)

25. Weiss, B. and Levin, R.M.: Mechanism for selectively inhibiting the activation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and adenylate cyclase by antipsychotic agents. Adv. Cycl. Nucl. Res. 9:285‑304, 1978.

34. Greenberg, L.H., Dix, R.K. and Weiss, B.: Age-related changes in the binding of dihydroalprenolol in rat brain. In: Pharmacological Intervention in the Aging Process, eds. J. Roberts, R.C. Adelman and V.J. Cristofalo, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 245–249, 1978.

35. Greenberg, L.H. and Weiss, B.: Beta adrenergic receptors in aged rat brain: reduced number and capacity of pineal gland to develop supersensitivity. Science 201:61-63, 1978.

39. Glaubiger, G., Tsai, B.S., Lefkowitz, R.J., Johnson, E.M., Jr. and Weiss, B.: Chronic guanethidine treatment increases cardiac beta-adrenergic receptors. Nature 273:240-242, 1978.

11. Hait, W.N. and Weiss, B.: Characteristics of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases of normal and leukemic lymphocytes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 497:86‑100, 1977. PMID 14711

18. Levin, R.M. and Weiss, B.: Binding of trifluoperazine to the calcium‑dependent activator of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Mol. Pharmacol. 13:690‑697, 1977. (a)

24. Weiss, B. and Hait, W.N.: Selective cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents. Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 17:441‑477, 1977.

10. Fertel, R. and Weiss, B.: Properties and drug responsiveness of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases of rat lung. Mol. Pharmacol. 12:678‑687, 1976. PMID 183099. Hait, W.N. and Weiss, B.: Increased cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in leukemic lymphocytes. Nature 259:321‑323, 1976. PMID 183099

12. Hait, W.N. and Weiss, B.: Increased cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in leukemic lymphocytes. Nature 259:321‑323, 1976. PMID 175284

17. Levin, R.M. and Weiss, B.: Mechanism by which psychotropic drugs inhibit adenosine cyclic 3',5'‑monophosphate phosphodiesterase of brain. Mol. Pharmacol. 12:581‑589, 1976.

1. Weiss, B.: Editor, Cyclic Nucleotides in Disease, University Park Press, Baltimore, MD. 1975.

4. Fertel R, Weiss B.: A microassay for guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity. Anal Biochem. 1974 Jun;59(2):386-98. PMID 4365804.

6. Uzunov, P., Shein, H.M. and Weiss, B.: Multiple forms of cyclic 3',5'‑AMP phosphodiesterase of rat cerebrum and cloned astrocytoma and neuroblastoma cells. Neuropharmacology 13:377‑391, 1974. PMID 4370207

31. Strada, S.J. and Weiss, B.: Increased response to catecholamines of the cyclic AMP system of rat pineal gland induced by decreased sympathetic activity. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 160:197- 204, 1974.

7. Uzunov, P., Shein, H.M. and Weiss, B.: Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in cloned astrocytoma cells: norepinephrine induces a specific enzyme form. Science 180:304‑306, 1973. PMID 4349509.

3.Weiss B, Lehne R, Strada S. Rapid microassay of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity. Anal Biochem. 1972 Jan;45(1):222-35. .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#3a3;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}PMID 4333123.

5. Uzunov, P. and Weiss, B.: Separation of multiple molecular forms of cyclic adenosine 3',5'‑monophosphate phosphodiesterase in rat cerebellum by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 284:220‑226, 1972. PMID 4342220

38. Strada, S.J., Uzunov, P. and Weiss, B.: Increased sensitivity to norepinephrine (NE) of the cyclic 3',5'-AMP (cAMP) system of rat brain following 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HDM). Pharmacologist 13:257, 1971.

33. Weiss, B. and Crayton, J.: Gonadal hormones as regulators of pineal adenyl cyclase activity. Endocrinology 87:527-533, 1970.

32. Weiss, B.: Effects of environmental lighting and chronic denervation on the activation of adenyl cyclase of rat pineal gland by norepinephrine and sodium fluoride. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 168:146-152, 1969.

From 1968 to 1972 Weiss worked at the National Institute of Mental Health at St Elizabeths Hospital, Washington, D.C., where he held the position of chief of the Section on Neuroendocrinology. In 1972 he accepted the position of professor of pharmacology at the Medical College of Pennsylvania (MCP), where he held the positions of professor of pharmacology and psychiatry, and chief of the Division of Neuropsychopharmacology. He was also a visiting scientist at the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Researchin Milan, Italy, and a visiting scientist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. On retirement in 1999 he became an emeritus professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at MCP. In 2002, when Drexel University assumed leadership of MCP, he was given the position of professor emeritus in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at Drexel University College of Medicine, the position he now holds.

In 1959 Weiss married Joyce Zelnick. They have three children and five grandchildren.

Benjamin Weiss (January 26, 1937) is an American neuropharmacologist, Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology at Drexel University College of Medicine. He is best known for his work with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. He was the first to propose, based on his experimental work, that selective inhibition of phosphodiesterases which are expressed differentially in all tissues, could be used as a target for drug development. His work is the basis for many marketed and developmental human drugs that selectively inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases.

Weiss was born in The Bronx in 1937 and was raised on a chicken farm in New Jersey where his immigrant parents moved in 1946. Weiss went to Toms River High School, graduating in 1954. He received his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy in 1958 from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now, University of the Sciences), where he also earned a M.Sc. in 1960 and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology in 1963, under the tutelage of G. Victor Rossi. From 1963 to 1966 he had a Postdoctoral Fellowship and a Staff Fellowship at the National Heart Institute, National Institute of Health, where he studied under Bernard B. Brodie. He did further training as a research associate at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, with Erminio Costa from 1966 to 1968.

30. Weiss, B. and Costa, E.: Adenyl Cyclase activity in rat pineal gland: Effects of chronic denervation and norepinephrine. Science 156:1750-1752, 1967.