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Robert FerchgottAmerican biochemist
Date of Birth: 04.06.1916
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Robert Furchgott
Robert Furchgott, an American biochemist, was born on June 4, 1916, in Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1937 and earned his doctoral degree in biochemistry from Northwestern University in Illinois in 1940.
Professional Career
From 1949 to 1956, Furchgott worked at the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. He then became a professor of pharmacology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center from 1956 to 1988, later becoming an honorary professor.
Discovery of Nitric Oxide
In 1978, Furchgott discovered a substance in endothelial cells that caused relaxation of blood vessels, which he named endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). By 1986, he had identified the nature of this agent and its mechanism of action. He found that the factor he discovered was none other than nitric oxide (NO), an important component in the physiology of the cardiovascular system.
Achievements
Furchgott received international recognition for his discovery, including the Gardner International Award in 1991 and the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1996 (shared with Ferid Murad). In 1998, Robert Furchgott, together with Louis Ignarro and Ferid Murad, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries concerning nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system.
Later Years
After his retirement, Furchgott continued to contribute to the field of biochemistry as an honorary professor at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. He passed away on May 19, 2009, leaving behind a significant legacy in cardiovascular research and the understanding of nitric oxide's role in the human body.
