Joseph L. Goldstein

Biography

Joseph Leonard Goldstein ForMemRS (born April 18, 1940) is an American biochemist . He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1985, along with fellow University of Texas Southwestern researcher, Michael Brown , for their studies regarding cholesterol . [ 2 ] They discovered that human cells have low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors that remove cholesterol from the blood and that when LDL receptors are not present in sufficient numbers, individuals develop hypercholesterolemia and become at risk for cholesterol related diseases, notably coronary heart disease . [ 3 ] Their studies led to the development of statin drugs. [ 2 ] Goldstein was born in Kingstree, South Carolina , the son of Fannie (Alpert) and Isadore E. Goldstein, who owned a clothing store. His family is Jewish . [ 4 ] Goldstein received his BSci from Washington and Lee University in 1962, and his MD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1966. [ 2 ] Upon completion of his residency , Goldstein moved to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland , where he worked in biochemical genetics . [ 5 ] In 1972, Goldstein relocated back to the Southwestern Medical Center, accepting a post as the head of the Division of Medical Genetics. [ 5 ] At the Southwestern Medical Center Goldstein collaborated extensively with Michael Brown , a fellow researcher at the center who had also worked at the NIH. [ 5 ] From 1973 to 1985, Goldstein and Brown together published over one hundred major papers. [ 6 ] They are both listed in Thomson Reuters ’ index of highly cited authors. [ 7 ] Frequently mentioned as a candidate for nationally prominent positions in scientific administration, Goldstein, like his colleague Michael Brown, chose to continue hands-on research. [ 8 ] [ 9 ] Fields: Biochemistry Education: Washington and Lee University University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

About the Lasker Award

The Lasker Awards have been awarded annually since 1946 to living persons who have made major contributions to medical science or who have performed public service on behalf of medicine. They are administered by the Lasker Foundation, founded by advertising pioneer Albert Lasker and his wife Mary Woodard Lasker (a medical research activist). The awards are sometimes referred to as "America's Nobels."

Quick Facts

• Award: Lasker Award - Basic Medical Research
• Added: 2026-02-07
• Source: Wikipedia
• Established: 1946
• Presented by: Lasker Foundation

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