Michael S. Brown is a preeminent medical scientist renowned for his revolutionary contributions to understanding cholesterol metabolism and inherited lipid disorders. He currently holds the W. A. (Monty) Moncrief Distinguished Chair in Cholesterol and Arteriosclerosis Research and serves as a Regental Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. After earning his B.A. in Chemistry and M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1962 and 1966 respectively, he completed clinical training at Massachusetts General Hospital and conducted research at the National Institutes of Health. In 1971, he joined UT Southwestern where he established his transformative research program in collaboration with Joseph L. Goldstein, with whom he would share the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Brown's seminal work centered on the discovery of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors, which extract cholesterol from the bloodstream, fundamentally transforming the understanding of cholesterol regulation at the cellular level. This breakthrough elucidated the molecular basis of familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited disorder affecting approximately 1 in 500 people worldwide that predisposes individuals to premature cardiovascular disease. In subsequent decades, Brown and Goldstein further advanced the field by identifying and characterizing the sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs), which control cellular lipid synthesis pathways. Their research established the sophisticated machinery by which cells maintain appropriate cholesterol levels despite varying environmental conditions, revolutionizing approaches to treating lipid disorders.
The laboratory led by Brown and Goldstein continues to make significant contributions to metabolic science, with current research focusing on three major areas: the SREBP pathway for lipid synthesis control, the NPC2-NPC1 hydrophobic handoff pathway for cholesterol transport in lysosomes, and the Ghrelin-Growth hormone axis for blood glucose regulation during starvation. As a distinguished educator, Brown has mentored generations of scientists who have established successful research careers across prestigious institutions worldwide. His transformative work has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and the National Medal of Science. Brown's ongoing research continues to provide critical insights that inform the development of therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases globally.
