Speaker: Robert J. Lefkowitz, Professor at Duke University

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. March 28, 2026

Tencent Meeting: 526-191-964

Abstract

How does the body sense its world? From light striking the eye to adrenaline quickening the heart, it all begins at the cell surface—with the G Protein-Coupled Receptor.

In this keynote lecture, Professor Lefkowitz will reflect on his pioneering journey in GPCR research. His research unveiled the very existence and inner workings of this vast receptor family. He proved these receptors were tangible entities and illuminated the fundamental mechanism by which they transmit signals into the cell, governing countless physiological processes.

This landmark discovery laid the cornerstone for modern neurobiology and pharmacology, guiding the development of life-saving therapies. Today, over one-third of all prescription drugs—including those for hypertension, allergies, and mental health—act through these receptors.

In an era where Artificial Intelligence and emerging scientific tools are reshaping the landscape of inquiry, revisiting the fundamental mechanisms of cellular communication is of profound significance. This session is designed to help students gain a systematic understanding of the central role of GPCRs in life sciences and drug discovery, master foundational knowledge in cellular signal transduction and molecular pharmacology, and expand their perspective on interdisciplinary research methodologies. The lecture aims to provide academic inspiration and research insights for the next generation who aspire to excel in life sciences, pharmacy, and medicine.

Biography

Professor Robert J. Lefkowitz is the 2012 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and currently serves as the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry at Duke University. He is also an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). A preeminent figure in contemporary pharmacology, Professor Lefkowitz is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His extraordinary contributions to the biomedical sciences have been recognized with numerous prestigious international honors, including the National Medal of Science and the Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine.

Professor Lefkowitz has dedicated his career to unraveling the complexities of cellular communication. He spearheaded the identification, purification, and cloning of the β-adrenergic receptor and elucidated the molecular mechanisms of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)—the largest family of receptors in the human body. This groundbreaking work, shared with Brian Kobilka, earned him the Nobel Prize and fundamentally transformed our understanding of how cells perceive hormones, neurotransmitters, and drugs. His ongoing research into receptor desensitization and biased signaling continues to pave the way for a new generation of high-precision therapeutics with fewer side effects.