Robert J. Lefkowitz

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Robert J. Lefkowitz

Role / Field:

Pioneering biochemist known for discoveries in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Born:

1943-04-15

Century / Era:

1943s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Robert Joseph Lefkowitz (born April 15, 1943) is an American physician (internist and cardiologist) and biochemist. He is best known for his discoveries that reveal the inner workings of an important family of G protein-coupled receptors, for which he was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Chemistry with Brian Kobilka. He is currently an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute as well as a James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at Duke University. Lefkowitz was born on April 15, 1943, in The Bronx, New York to Jewish parents Max and Rose Lefkowitz. Their families had emigrated to the United States from Poland in the late 19th century.

Career & Major Achievements

After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science in 1959, he attended Columbia College from which he received a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry in 1962. At Columbia, Lefkowitz studied under Ronald Breslow. He graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1966 with an M.D. degree. After serving an internship and one year of general medical residency at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, he served as clinical and research associate at the National Institutes of Health from 1968 to 1970. Upon completing his medical residency and research and clinical training in 1973, he was appointed associate professor of medicine and assistant professor of biochemistry at the Duke University Medical Center.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1977, he was promoted to professor of medicine and in 1982 to James B. Duke Professor of Medicine at Duke University. He is also a professor of biochemistry and a professor of chemistry. He has been an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since 1976 and was an established investigator of the American Heart Association from 1973 to 1976. Lefkowitz studies receptor biology and signal transduction and is most well known for his detailed characterizations of the sequence, structure and function of the β-adrenergic and related receptors and for the discovery and characterization of the two families of proteins which regulate them, the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases and β-arrestins. Lefkowitz made a remarkable contribution in the mid-1980s when he and his colleagues cloned the gene first for the β-adrenergic receptor, and then rapidly thereafter, for a total of 8 adrenergic receptors (receptors for adrenaline and noradrenaline).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1943 (1943-04-15): Birth of Robert J. Lefkowitz — Pioneering biochemist known for discoveries in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
2. 1959: 1959 Milestone — After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science in 1959, he attended Columbia College from which he received a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry in 1962.
3. 1966: 1966 Milestone — He graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1966 with an M.
4. 1968: 1968 Milestone — After serving an internship and one year of general medical residency at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, he served as clinical and research associate at the National Institutes of Health from 1968 to 1970.
5. 1973: 1973 Milestone — Upon completing his medical residency and research and clinical training in 1973, he was appointed associate professor of medicine and assistant professor of biochemistry at the Duke University Medical Center.
6. 1976: 1976 Milestone — He has been an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute since 1976 and was an established investigator of the American Heart Association from 1973 to 1976.
7. 1977: 1977 Milestone — In 1977, he was promoted to professor of medicine and in 1982 to James B.
8. 2012: 2012 Milestone — He is best known for his discoveries that reveal the inner workings of an important family of G protein-coupled receptors, for which he was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Chemistry with Brian Kobilka.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Robert J. Lefkowitz

True or False: “The Nobel Prize awarded to Robert Lefkowitz was specifically for his work on the structure of G protein-coupled receptors.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He shared the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Brian Kobilka for discoveries concerning these crucial receptor systems.

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• 1943 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1943
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Frequently Asked Questions about Robert J. Lefkowitz