Judah Folkman
Harvard University
February 24, 1933 - January 14, 2008
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Scientific Discipline: Medical Physiology and Metabolism Membership Type:
Member
(elected 1990)
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M. Judah Folkman founded the field of angiogenesis, which studies how tumors generate blood vessels for self-sustainment. He theorized that tumors were dependent on angiogenesis, and if one could prevent blood flow to a tumor it would die. This theory led to the discovery of angiogenic factors, such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), which promotes growth in tissues. He found that under pathologic condition, FGF can promote tumor growth. Using interferons, proteins released by host cells in defense of pathogens, he was able to inhibit angiogenesis in mice tumors. His research has led to the development of angiogenesis inhibitors used for cancer treatment.
Folkman graduated from Ohio State University in 1953 and earned his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1957. He trained as a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and Philadelphia Children’s Hospital. From 1960 to 1962 he joined the Naval Medical Research Institute. He was a professor of surgery and anatomy at Harvard Medical Center. In 1979 he was a professor of Pediatric Surgery in the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. In addition, he was the senior associate in surgery and director of the Laboratory for Surgical Research at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1981.
