Napoleone Ferrara

Laura Perin, Napoleone Ferrara, and Matteo Garbelotto

Napoleone Ferrara
Born	1956 Catania, Italy
Nationality	Italian-American
Alma mater	University of Catania
Known for	Discovery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Awards	Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award (2010)
Scientific career
Fields	Molecular biology
Institutions	University of California, San Diego

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Vascular endothelial growth factor
• Angiogenesis
• Bevacizumab
• Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award