Ernst Knobil

Ernst Knobil (September 20, 1926 – April 13, 2000) was a scientist known for his pioneering research in endocrinology.[1] His discoveries were important for the field of reproductive endocrinology, the development of hormonal contraceptives, and treatments for infertility.

Ernst Knobil
BornSeptember 20, 1926
Berlin, Germany
DiedApril 13, 2000 (2000-04-14) (aged 73)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationEndocrinologist
Known forEndocrinology
SpouseJulane Hotchkiss
AwardsDickson Prize (1990)

Knobil was the Richard Beatty Mellon Professor of Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh from 1961–1981[1] and later held named professorships at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.[2] Knobil was the editor of the peer-reviewed journal Annual Review of Physiology from 1976–1978.[3] He served as president of the American Physiological Society, The Endocrine Society and the International Society of Endocrinology.

Education

Ernst Knobil was born in Berlin and lived in Paris before emigrating with his family to the United States in 1940.[4] He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.[1] Returning to the United States, he studied zoology at Cornell University, earning his B.S. in 1948 and his PhD in 1951.[2]

Career

Knobil taught physiology at Harvard Medical School beginning in 1953, becoming an associate professor (1955) and assistant professor (1957). From 1961 to 1981, Knobil served as the Richard Beatty Mellon Professor of Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh. He also served as Chairman of the Department of Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. From 1974 to 1981, he directed UPitt's Center for Research in Primate Reproduction.[2]

In 1981 Knobil moved to the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, part of the Texas Medical Center. There he became the H. Wayne Hightower Professor in Medical Sciences and the Director of the Laboratory for Neuroendocrinology. He also served as Dean from 1981–1984. In 1989, Knobil became the Ashbel Smith Professor at the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center.[2]

Research

Knobil's research into hormonal regulation in primates led to his discovery of growth hormone's species-specific effects. These discoveries led to the first treatment of growth hormone deficiency.[5]

Knobil is also credited with discovering the key role of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone and estrogen feedback during the menstrual cycle. This work today forms the basis of reproductive endocrinology[6] and enabled development of the world's first hormonal contraceptives.[1] His research also led to better treatments for infertility.[7]

In addition to being the author of 217 scientific papers,[8] he was the editor of several reference books in endocrinology and reproduction, including The Handbook of Physiology (1974), The Physiology of Reproduction (1988, 1994)[9] and The Encyclopedia of Reproduction (1998).[4]

Knobil served as President of The Endocrine Society (1976–1977),[10] American Physiological Society (1979), and International Society of Endocrinology (1984–1988).[11] Knobil was the editor of the peer-reviewed journal Annual Review of Physiology from 1976–1978.[3][12]

Awards

Archives
  • Ernst Knobil, PhD papers, McGovern Historical Center, Texas Medical Center Library[4]

References
  1. "OBITUARY: Ernst Knobil". University Times. Vol. 32, no. 17. University of Pittsburgh. April 27, 2000. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  2. "Ernst Knobil The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center September 20, 1926 - April 13, 2000". National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  3. "Preface". Annual Review of Physiology. 37. 1975. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.37.030405.100001.
  4. "Ernst Knobil, PhD papers". McGovern Historical Center, Texas Medical Center Library. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  5. "Ernst Knobil PhD". The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  6. Neill, Jimmy D. (1 December 2001). "In Memoriam: Ernst Knobil (1926–2000)". Endocrine Reviews. 22 (6): 721–723. doi:10.1210/edrv.22.6.8566. PMID 11739328. S2CID 1634732.
  7. Saxon, Wolfgang (April 21, 2000). "Ernst Knobil, 73, a Physiologist Who Helped to Treat Infertility". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  8. Neill, Jimmy D. (1 December 2001). "In Memoriam: Ernst Knobil (1926–2000)". Endocrinology. 142 (12): 5047–5049. doi:10.1210/endo.142.12.8566. PMID 11713195.
  9. Castracane, V. Daniel (August 2006). "WOW!!!… Third edition". Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism. 17 (6): 220–221. doi:10.1016/j.tem.2006.06.002. S2CID 54231431. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  10. "Past Presidents". Endocrine Society. July 27, 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  11. Brobeck, John R. (1987). History of the American Physiological Society : the First Century, 1887-1987. New York, NY: Springer New York. pp. 244–248. ISBN 9781461475767. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  12. "Preface". Annual Review of Physiology. 40. 1978. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.40.030405.100001.
  13. "Dickson Prize in Medicine Winners". University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  14. "ACADEMY OF SCIENCES PICKS MEMBERS". Special to the New York Times. May 12, 1986. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  15. Philipp, E. (19 April 1986). "Spring Books: The spirit of San Michele lives on". BMJ. 292 (6527): 1055–1057. doi:10.1136/bmj.292.6527.1055. PMC 1340119. PMID 20742632. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  16. Schomberg, David W. (1 February 1984). "The Fifteenth Carl G. Hartman Award: Ernst Knobil". Biology of Reproduction. 30 (1): 55–56. doi:10.1093/biolreprod/30.1.55. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  17. "The Endocrine Society 1982 Annual Awards". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 55 (1): 201–205. July 1982. doi:10.1210/jcem-55-1-201. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  18. "The Endocrine Society 1962 Annual Awards". Endocrinology. 69 (1): 190–191. July 1961. doi:10.1210/endo-69-1-190. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  19. "The Endocrine Society 1961 Awards". Endocrinology. 68 (4): 726–727. April 1961. doi:10.1210/endo-68-4-726. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
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