Jeffery D. Molkentin

American molecular biologist

Jeffery D. Molkentin

Jeffery D. Molkentin is an American molecular biologist renowned for his research in the field of cardiovascular disease and muscle biology. He is a prominent figure in the study of heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy, and skeletal muscle diseases. Molkentin's work has significantly advanced the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions.

Early Life and Education

Jeffery D. Molkentin was born in the United States. He pursued his undergraduate studies in biology at Marquette University, where he developed a keen interest in molecular biology. He later attended the Medical College of Wisconsin, earning his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Career

Molkentin began his career as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he worked under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Olson, a leading expert in muscle biology. During this time, Molkentin focused on the genetic and molecular pathways that regulate cardiac and skeletal muscle development.

In 1997, Molkentin joined the faculty at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He is currently a professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology. Molkentin also serves as the co-director of the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Research Contributions

Molkentin's research has primarily focused on the molecular pathways that control heart and muscle function. His work has identified key signaling pathways involved in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, including the role of calcineurin and NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) in cardiac growth.

He has also explored the mechanisms of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in heart disease, identifying critical factors that contribute to cell death in the failing heart. Molkentin's research has implications for the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat heart disease and muscle disorders.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Molkentin has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science. He is a fellow of the American Heart Association and has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health for his groundbreaking research.

Personal Life

Molkentin is married and has children. He is known for his dedication to mentoring young scientists and fostering a collaborative research environment.

Related Pages

• Cardiac hypertrophy
• Heart failure
• Skeletal muscle
• Calcineurin
• NFAT