September 09, 2021

Scripps Research biochemist Jeffery Kelly wins Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences Scientist focused on the origami of proteins recognized for inventing treatment for heart and neurological diseases, with relevance for Alzheimer's.

Editor's note: Professor Kelly will present the next virtual Front Row Lecture on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. The public is invited to this free online event. To register, visit frontrow.scripps.edu.

September 09, 2021

LA JOLLA, CA Pioneering biochemist Jeffery Kelly, PhD, has been awarded a $3 million Breakthrough Prize for demonstrating that nervous system and heart diseases can be caused by protein clumping-associated toxicity, and for inventing a medication to slow progression of such diseases.

The 2022 Breakthrough Prizes in Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences and Mathematics are recognized as one of the world's most prestigious science prizes. Kelly's award, one of three life science prizes announced Thursday, recognizes transformative advances in the understanding of neurological disease.

It is a tremendous honor to receive the Breakthrough Prize and to be included in the terrific company of this year's other recipients and those of years past, says Kelly, the Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research, a professor of molecular medicine, and a Scripps Research trustee.

Scripps Research President and CEO Peter Schultz, PhD, notes that Kelly has been a leader in the field of protein misfolding and aggregation, helping illuminate its role in neurodegenerative disease progression.

A ribbon diagram shows the structure of the transthyretin protein, which can form clumps and cause disease if misfolded. At its center is tafamidis, now an FDA-approved drug for treating a related heart condition. (Image credit: Evan Powers, PhD, Scripps Research.)

LINK:	https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2021/20210909-kelly...
	See more stories from scripps

Most recent headlines