The 2009 Keio Medical Science Prize Awardees
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
Reason for Selection
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.
Background
- 1980-1981
- Postgraduate Fellow
Cornell University Medical College, Department of Gastroenterology, U.S.A. - 1980-1981
- Postgraduate Fellow
The Rockefeller University, U.S.A. - 1981-1983
- 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
- (as of September 2009)
Kenji Kangawa, Ph.D.
Director General
National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Japan
Reason for Selection
For the discovery and clinical application of ghrelin and other novel bioactive peptides
Background
- 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 - (as of September 2009)