Awarded the Fifth Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biology and Biomedicine, physician Jeffrey Friedman explains in this interview how the discovery of leptin—the hormone that regulates appetite and body weight—completely transformed the scientific understanding of obesity. Friedman details how the identification of the ob gene demonstrated that obesity is not merely a behavioral issue, but a biological disorder deeply regulated by hormonal and neuronal mechanisms. He also reflects on the clinical impact of this finding, current therapeutic possibilities, and the challenges that remain in addressing one of the greatest public health crises of the 21st century. His account reveals how genetics and molecular biology are opening new avenues for understanding human metabolism.
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Laureate in the Biomedicine category has been granted in this fifth
Awarded the Fifth Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biology and Biomedicine, physician Jeffrey Friedman explains in this interview how the discovery of leptin—the hormone that regulates appetite and body weight—completely transformed the scientific understanding of obesity. Friedman details how the identification of the ob gene demonstrated that obesity is not merely a behavioral issue, but a biological disorder deeply regulated by hormonal and neuronal mechanisms. He also reflects on the clinical impact of this finding, current therapeutic possibilities, and the challenges that remain in addressing one of the greatest public health crises of the 21st century. His account reveals how genetics and molecular biology are opening new avenues for understanding human metabolism.
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Laureate in the Biomedicine category has been granted in this fifth edition to chemist Douglas L. Coleman and physician Jeffrey M. Friedman for revealing the existence of the genes involved in the regulation of appetite and body weight, a discovery crucial to our understanding of human pathologies such as obesity.
00:00 Professor fredman, how do you feel after finding out that you have been recognized with the BBVA Foundation frontiers of knowledge award along with duas Colman?
00:42 Dr fredman, you studied medicine what brought you to focus your career in basic research and more specifically to study obesity?
01:58 How do you value the fact that your contribution has changed the perception of patient suffering from obesity as being responsible for their illness?
