THE KEIO MEDICAL SCIENCE PRIZE

Japanese / English

2009 Prize Laureate

Jeffrey M. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D.

Marilyn M. Simpson Professor, The Rockefeller University, U.S.A.
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, U.S.A.
* Website (The Rockefeller University)

For the discovery of leptin and study of its physiological functions

Obesity and overweight have recently been recognized as one of the top 10 global health problems. Prior to Dr. Friedman's groundbreaking research, little was known about the components of the biologic system that controls body weight. In 1994, Dr. Friedman discovered the hormone leptin regulating appetite and adiposity. Dr. Friedman's subsequent research on leptin and the identification of its receptors led scientists to understand that appetite and adiposity are regulated by a physiological system balancing food intake and energy expenditure. This system is based on the ability of the adipose tissue to produce leptin, a hormone reporting nutritional information to the hypothalamus. Increased body fat (adipose tissue) is associated with increased levels of leptin, which then act to reduce food intake. His group also found so called "leptin-resistance" which is often associated with high levels of leptin in obese people. His revolutionary discovery also stimulated the investigation of various adipokines from fat tissues and other genes regulating appetite, energy expenditure and obesity. In summary, his discovery of leptin is epoch-making in the field of energy metabolism, and it greatly facilitates the development of therapeutics for obesity and related diseases.

Appointments

1980-1981	Postgraduate Fellow Department of Gastroenterology Cornell University Medical College, U.S.A.
1980-1981	Postgraduate Fellow The Rockefeller University, U.S.A.
1980-1983	Associate Physician The Rockefeller University, U.S.A.
1984-1985	Postdoctoral Fellow The Rockefeller University, U.S.A.
1986-1991	Assistant Professor The Rockefeller University, U.S.A.
1986-1992	Assistant Investigator Howard Hughes Medical Institute, U.S.A.
1992-1996	Associate Investigator Howard Hughes Medical Institute, U.S.A.
1991-1995	Associate Professor The Rockefeller University, U.S.A.
1995-present	Director Starr Center for Human Genetics, U.S.A.
1995-present	Professor The Rockefeller University, U.S.A.
1996-present	Investigator Howard Hughes Medical Institute, U.S.A.
1998-present	Marilyn M. Simpson Professorship

2009 Prize Laureate

Kenji Kangawa, Ph.D.

Director General
National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Japan
* Website (National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute)

For the discovery and clinical application of ghrelin and other novel bioactive peptides

It has hitherto been generally recognized that growth hormone (GH) secretion is controlled by hypothalamic hormones, but the presence of a mechanism mediated by an orphan receptor called the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) has also been suggested. Dr. K. Kangawa and colleagues were the first investigators worldwide to purify an endogenous ligand specific to GHS-R from gastric tissue and to determine its structure. This success was achieved employing their own unique techniques. This novel ligand is a peptide composed of 28 amino acids with a structure characterized by a serine residue at 3 modified by acylation with a fatty acid (n-octanoic acid). This peptide was named ghrelin. Ghrelin has since been demonstrated to have a potent appetite-stimulating effect in addition to its GH secretagogue activity, and is now in the clinical trial stage as a therapeutic agent for anorexia nervosa (cibophobia). Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), also discovered by Dr. Kangawa and coworkers, are currently used as therapeutic and diagnostic agents in clinical settings. Dr. Kangawa is actively playing a leading role in the translational research of these bioactive peptides.

Appointments

1977-1990	Assistant Professor Department of Biochemistry Miyazaki Medical College, Japan
1990-1993	Associate Professor Department of Biochemistry Miyazaki Medical College, Japan
1993-2005	Director Department of Biochemistry National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Japan
1996-	Professor Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto University, Japan
2001-2006	Professor Translational Research Center Kyoto University Hospital, Japan
2005-2007	Vice-Director General National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Japan
2007-	Director General National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Japan

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