Nobel Prize award Chemistry-2012
October 10, 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.