Martin M. Matzuk, M.D., Ph.D.

The Stuart A. Wallace Chair, Department of Pathology
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
Co-Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

Dr. Matzuk was nominated for his extraordinary contributions to reproductive medicine. He and his lab have been productive leaders in the identification and characterization of TGFbeta family members (e.g., inhibins, activins, growth differentiation factors, and BMPs), hormones (e.g., follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogens, and androgens), and small RNAs in ovarian and testicular cancer and reproduction.

The research for which Dr. Matzuk was nominated to the Michael E. DeBakey, M.D. Excellence in Research Award represented a pharmacologic approach to a longstanding challenge in medicine with regard to male contraception. Treatment of mice with JQ1 induced a reversible germ cell-specific contraceptive effect on mice, the first such lead compound to demonstrate such an effect:

Matzuk MM, McKeown MR, Filippakopoulos P, Li Q, Ma L, Agno JE, Lemieux ME, Picaud S, Yu RN, Qi J, Knapp S, and Bradner JE. " Small-molecule inhibition of BRDT for male contraception". Cell , 150, 673-684 (2012)