Jeffrey M. Friedman

Jeffrey M. Friedman. He is a pioneering molecular geneticist renowned for his landmark discovery of the hormone leptin, a key regulator of body weight and appetite. His work, conducted at Rockefeller University where he is a professor, fundamentally transformed the scientific understanding of obesity from a behavioral issue to a biological one. Friedman's research continues to explore the complex genetics and physiology underlying energy balance and metabolic disease.

Early life and education

Born in Orlando, Florida, Friedman developed an early interest in science. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester, earning a degree in biology. He then pursued his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees through the prestigious Medical Scientist Training Program at Rockefeller University and Cornell University's medical college. His doctoral research in the laboratory of Mary Jane Gething and Joe Sambrook focused on protein trafficking in the endoplasmic reticulum, providing a strong foundation in cell biology and genetics.

Discovery of leptin

In the late 1980s, building upon earlier studies of the ob/ob mouse strain at The Jackson Laboratory, Friedman embarked on a ambitious positional cloning project to identify the genetic defect causing severe obesity in these mice. After nearly a decade of work, his team successfully isolated the ob gene in 1994. They demonstrated that this gene encoded a previously unknown hormone, which they named leptin (from the Greek *leptos*, meaning thin). This discovery, published in the journal *Nature*, proved that leptin, produced by adipose tissue, signals energy stores to the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, to regulate food intake and energy expenditure.

Research and career

Following the discovery of leptin, Friedman's laboratory at Rockefeller University, where he is the Marilyn M. Simpson Professor, has continued to be a world leader in metabolism research. His group has identified numerous additional genes and neural circuits involved in weight regulation, using advanced techniques in mouse genetics and neuroscience. He is also an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. His ongoing work seeks to map the intricate leptin signaling pathways in the brain and to understand the mechanisms of leptin resistance, a condition common in human obesity. His research has profound implications for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and related disorders.

Awards and honors

Friedman's groundbreaking contributions have been recognized with many of the world's top scientific awards. These include the Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine in 2009, the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 2010, and the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine in 2013. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has also received the Passano Award, the Gairdner Foundation International Award, and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for distinguished achievement in metabolic research.

Personal life

Friedman maintains a relatively private personal life focused on his scientific work and family. He is married and has children. An avid art collector, he has a particular interest in contemporary art. He resides in New York City, where he continues his research and teaching at Rockefeller University, mentoring the next generation of scientists in the fields of genetics and endocrinology.

Category:American geneticists Category:Rockefeller University faculty Category:Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators Category:Albert Lasker Award winners