Napoleone Ferrara
Italian-American molecular biologist
Napoleone Ferrara
| Born | 1956 |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Catania, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian-American |
| Known for | Discovery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) |
| Awards | Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award (2010) |
Napoleone Ferrara (born 1956) is an Italian-American molecular biologist renowned for his discovery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key molecule in the process of angiogenesis. His work has had significant implications in the treatment of cancer and age-related macular degeneration.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Ferrara was born in Catania, Italy. He earned his M.D. degree from the University of Catania in 1981. Following his graduation, he pursued postdoctoral research in the United States.
Career[edit | edit source]
Ferrara joined the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) where he conducted groundbreaking research in the field of molecular biology. His most notable contribution is the discovery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that stimulates the formation of blood vessels.
Discovery of VEGF[edit | edit source]
In the early 1990s, Ferrara and his team identified and cloned VEGF. This discovery was pivotal in understanding the mechanisms of angiogenesis, the process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels. VEGF plays a crucial role in both normal and pathological conditions, including cancer, where it facilitates tumor growth by supplying nutrients through blood vessels.
Therapeutic Applications[edit | edit source]
Ferrara's discovery of VEGF led to the development of several anti-VEGF therapies. These therapies have been instrumental in treating various forms of cancer and age-related macular degeneration. One of the most well-known drugs developed from his research is Bevacizumab (Avastin), which is used to treat multiple types of cancer.
Awards and Honors[edit | edit source]
Ferrara has received numerous awards for his contributions to medical science, including the prestigious Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award in 2010. This award recognized his work in the discovery of VEGF and the development of anti-VEGF therapies.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
Ferrara is an Italian-American and continues to contribute to the field of molecular biology through his research and academic work at the University of California, San Diego.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Vascular endothelial growth factor
- Angiogenesis
- Bevacizumab
- Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award
References[edit | edit source]
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- 1956 births
- Living people
- Italian biologists
- American biologists
- University of Catania alumni
- University of California, San Diego faculty
- Italian emigrants to the United States
- Recipients of the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award
- People from Catania
- American medical researchers
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- American molecular biologists
- Italian molecular biologists
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
