Building on his training as a cardiologist, he began work on identifying and studying the adrenalin receptor and, through biochemical analysis and structural biology, was able to show the general principles of how they work. Nowadays, the more than 100 described components making up the superfamily of seven transmembrane receptors (7TM) have been isolated in all kinds of body cells.

From a clinical standpoint, the importance of his research is evidenced by the number of today's drugs, up to 50%, that act on the seven transmembrane receptors. According to Lefkowitz, "there is no field of medicine that has not been impacted by this new knowledge. The important thing to understand is that virtually all physiological processes in our bodies, and that includes diseases, are regulated by various members of this huge receptor family".

The jury takes up this point in its citation: "Lefkowitz's work has led to treatments for cardiovascular disease, such as beta-blockers. His studies have also led to an understanding of how drugs and hormones can lose their effect in patients who show changes in these receptors".

Lefkowitz's nomination was proposed by the Department of Molecular Biology at the Universidad Aut-noma de Madrid and seconded by the University of Barcelona, California Institute of Technology (United States), the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (United States) and the Rudolf Wirchow Center at the University of Wuerzburg (Germany).

Source: Fundacin BBVA