Michael Stuart Brown

American geneticist and Nobel laureate

Michael Stuart Brown in 2003

Michael Stuart Brown (born April 13, 1941) is an American geneticist and Nobel laureate renowned for his work in the field of cholesterol metabolism. He is best known for his discovery of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL receptor) and its role in regulating cholesterol levels in the blood. This groundbreaking research has had significant implications for the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Early life and education

Michael Stuart Brown was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. He attended Cheltenham High School, where he developed an early interest in science. Brown went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry in 1962. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he received his M.D. in 1966.

Career

After completing his medical degree, Brown interned at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He then worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, where he met his long-time collaborator, Joseph L. Goldstein. In 1971, Brown joined the faculty of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he and Goldstein began their pioneering research on cholesterol metabolism.

Research on cholesterol metabolism

Brown and Goldstein's research focused on the mechanisms by which cells take up cholesterol from the bloodstream. They discovered the LDL receptor, a protein on the surface of cells that binds to LDL particles and mediates their uptake. This discovery elucidated the process by which cholesterol is removed from the blood and provided insights into the genetic basis of familial hypercholesterolemia, a condition characterized by high cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease.

Their work demonstrated that defects in the LDL receptor lead to elevated blood cholesterol levels, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis. This research laid the foundation for the development of statins, a class of drugs that lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Awards and honors

In 1985, Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries concerning the regulation of cholesterol metabolism. In addition to the Nobel Prize, Brown has received numerous other awards, including the National Medal of Science, the Lasker Award, and the Albany Medical Center Prize.

Personal life

Michael Brown is married to Alice Lapin Brown, and they have two daughters. He continues to be active in research and education, mentoring the next generation of scientists and medical professionals.

Related pages

• Joseph L. Goldstein
• Cholesterol
• Low-density lipoprotein
• Statin
• Familial hypercholesterolemia