Kanwal Gambhir’s Discovery of an Insulin-Blocking Enzyme (2013)

India-born scientist

Affiliation: Harvard University, USA

Field of Expertise: Biochemistry, Metabolic Disorders

Groundbreaking Discovery (2013)

Research Focus: Insulin regulation and metabolic diseases

Discovery: Isolation of an insulin-blocking enzyme

Significance:

Insulin is a key hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.

The identified enzyme inhibits insulin function, leading to higher blood sugar levels.

Understanding this enzyme opened new therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.

Potential for new diabetes treatments that counteract insulin resistance.

High blood sugar is a major risk factor for heart diseases; controlling this enzyme could improve heart health.

Cancer cells thrive on altered metabolism, and insulin plays a role in their growth and survival.

Modulating this enzyme might lead to new cancer therapies.

Research could lead to enzyme-targeted drugs for diabetes and metabolic disorders.

Potential for precision medicine in managing insulin-related diseases.