The University of Debrecen Honors the Discoverer of Leptin | University of Debrecen

The Debrecen Prize for Molecular Medicine was established in 2003 to recognize the work of scientists who have achieved outstanding results in the field of molecular medicine at an international level. The previous awardees, chosen annually by the professors of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Debrecen, include such leading figures in the field of life sciences as Craig Venter, the apostle of the understanding of the human genetic material; Ralph Steinman, who, following the Debrecen Prize, received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of dendritic cells which are considered the conductor of the immune system; Katalin Karikó, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2023 for her discoveries related to modified nucleosides; and Shimon Sakaguchi, who also received the Nobel Prize in 2025 for his immunological research results.

The recipient of the award is selected every year by the professors of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Debrecen. The professors of the faculty and the previous awardees may propose the person to be awarded. A committee invited by the faculty management discusses the proposals and selects two candidates, from whom all the professors of the faculty choose the awardee by secret ballot.

- With the Debrecen Prize for Molecular Medicine, we recognize scholars who have achieved an outstanding performance and have made breakthrough discoveries in the field of molecular medicine. Every year, we reward significant scientific results that have proven to help patient care. The prize is also important for the faculty from the point of view that professional relationships can be formed in connection with the recognition, and through these, fruitful scientific collaborations can be born in the future”, said Professor László Mátyus, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

- This year’s awardee is molecular geneticist Jeffrey M. Friedman, a medical researcher at the Rockefeller University of New York and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute- Professor József Tőzsér, Vice Rector of the University of Debrecen for Sector Development responsible for Life Sciences, announced at Tuesday’s ceremony.

Jeffrey M. Friedman examines the physiological, hormonal, and neural mechanisms that regulate nutrition and body weight. Professor Friedman and his colleagues identified and described leptin, a hormone produced by adipose tissue that acts on the brain to regulate body weight. Professor Friedman’s work has led to the discovery that leptin has a profound effect on the physiological processes that determine food intake and metabolism. 

- The discovery of leptin has helped to change the stereotypes about obesity, emphasizing the view that obesity is not simply a behavioral problem but a biologically based chronic disease. This new concept has had a profound impact on how healthcare providers approach the treatment of obesity, and now they are focusing on medical interventions that target the underlying metabolic disorders, rather than simply trying to change diet and prescribe more physical activity- said Professor Zoltán Papp, Vice-Dean for Scientific Affairs of the Faculty of Medicine.

The role of leptin goes beyond the direct regulation of nutritional status, as it has a clear impact on female reproductive processes, immune function and the functioning of several other hormones, including insulin.

Professor Friedman and his colleagues are currently examining the neural mechanisms by which leptin exerts its effects on the brain, and are, at the same time, trying to identify other factors that play a key role in body weight regulation.To date, Professor Friedman has published over 250 publications and more than 10 book chapters, and his works have been cited an outstanding number of times, more than 62,000 times.

-  It is a great pleasure to be here. It always feels good when you receive recognition, because it means that your work is appreciated. This prize is very special to me because a university, and within it a faculty, selected me as the awardee of this year. I had the opportunity to look at the list of previous awardees, and I can see that with this recognition I have been placed among great researchers who have truly achieved great results in their professional field”, Professor Jeffrey M. Friedman said.