Dr. Robert Lefkowitz

Biography

Robert J. Lefkowitz is a Distinguished Professor at Duke University, holding positions in the Departments of Medicine, Chemistry, Pathology, and Biochemistry. He is a renowned researcher known for his pioneering work on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a vital class of proteins that affect numerous physiological processes. His early work, spanning from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, led to the identification and cloning of the beta2-adrenergic receptor, which established the connection between GPCRs and the receptor family. Lefkowitz's extensive research has significant implications in the pharmaceutical industry, influencing the development of numerous widely-used medications, including beta blockers and antihistamines. His most recent contributions include discovering mechanisms of receptor function that have led to new classes of drugs known as biased agonists, which are currently in clinical testing. A fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Lefkowitz was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2012 for his contributions to the field. His memoir, 'A Funny Thing Happened Way Stockholm,' recounts his transformative journey from cardiology to biochemistry, culminating in his distinguished scientific career at Duke University.

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