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November 2012

October 2012

Nobel Prize award Chemistry-2012

-Karthik Gurumurthy

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2012 was jointly awarded to Robert J. Lefkowitz and Brian K. Kobilka for their groundbreaking work on G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Here's a brief breakdown:

  • Robert J. Lefkowitz:
    • Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Duke University (1964)
    • Contribution: Pioneered research on GPCRs, identified their structure and function.
  • Brian K. Kobilka:
    • Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics from Vanderbilt University (1988)
    • Contribution: Determined the first 3D structure of a GPCR, providing crucial insights into their mechanism.

Together, their work:

  • Revealed the inner workings of GPCRs, a vast family of cell surface receptors crucial for diverse physiological processes like vision, hormone signaling, and neurotransmission.
  • Revolutionized drug development by providing targets for numerous medicines treating various diseases like asthma, allergies, and heart conditions.