Frederick Kaplan

Frederick Kaplan is an American orthopedic surgeon and molecular geneticist renowned for his work on fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare and disabling genetic condition. Kaplan is the Isaac & Rose Nassau Professor of Orthopaedic Molecular Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine.

Early Life and Education

Frederick Kaplan was born in Brooklyn, New York. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he majored in biochemistry. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania for his medical degree.

Career

Kaplan has dedicated his career to studying and treating FOP, a condition that causes soft tissues to progressively turn into bone. He is the co-founder of the International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Association (IFOPA), a non-profit organization that supports research, education, and communication for FOP families.

In 2006, Kaplan and his team identified the gene mutation responsible for FOP, a breakthrough that has paved the way for potential treatments. His research has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Lifetime Achievement Award.

Research

Kaplan's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of FOP. His team discovered that a mutation in the ACVR1 gene causes the condition. This gene normally produces a protein that controls bone and muscle growth, but the mutation causes it to function abnormally, leading to the formation of extra-skeletal bone.

Awards and Recognition

Kaplan has received numerous awards for his work, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' Kappa Delta Award and the National Institutes of Health's Pioneer Award. He was also named a "Hero of Medicine" by TIME magazine in 2001.