Pedro Cuatrecasas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedro Cuatrecasas
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| Born | 27 September 1936 Madrid, Spain
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| Citizenship | American |
| Education | Washington University School of Medicine, M.D. 1962 |
| Known for | Invention of affinity chromatography |
| Awards | Wolf Prize in Medicine |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry, pharmacology, medicine |
| Institutions | UC San Diego |
Pedro Cuatrecasas, born on September 27, 1936, is an American scientist. He is a biochemist and a professor at the University of California San Diego. He is famous for inventing a special way to separate chemicals called affinity chromatography.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Pedro Cuatrecasas was born in 1936 in Madrid, Spain. He moved to the United States and studied at Washington University in St. Louis. He finished his first degree there in 1958.
He then went on to earn his medical degree (M.D.) from Washington University School of Medicine in 1962. This education helped him become a leading expert in biochemistry and medicine.
Important Discoveries
Pedro Cuatrecasas is best known for creating and improving something called affinity chromatography. This is a clever method used in science to separate specific substances from a mixture. Think of it like a special filter that only catches certain molecules.
This method is very important in making new medicines and understanding how our bodies work. For example, it is used in a device called the Aethlon HemopurifierTM.
Developing New Medicines
Dr. Cuatrecasas played a big part in finding and developing over forty different medicines. These medicines have helped many people around the world.
Some of the important medicines he helped create include:
- Zidovudine (AZT): Used to treat AIDS.
- Acyclovir (Zovirax): Helps fight herpes viruses.
- Permethrin (Rid): Used to get rid of head and body lice.
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin): An antidepressant medicine.
- Colfosceril palmitate (Exosurf): Helps babies with breathing problems.
- Remifentanil (Ultiva): A strong pain reliever and anesthetic.
- Sumatriptan (Imigran): Used to treat migraine headaches.
- Salmeterol (Serement): Helps people with asthma breathe better.
- Tacrine (Cognex): Used for some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
- Gabapentin (Neurontin): Treats epilepsy and nerve pain.
- Troglitazone (Rezulin): A medicine for diabetes.
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor): Helps lower high cholesterol.
Awards and Recognition
In 1987, Pedro Cuatrecasas received a very important award called the Wolf Prize in Medicine. He shared this award with another scientist, Meir Wilchek. They were honored "for the invention and development of affinity chromatography and its applications to biomedical sciences." This prize showed how important their work was to the world of science and medicine.
See also
- In Spanish: Pedro Cuatrecasas para niños
