Aaron B. Lerner
Encyclopedia
Aaron Bunsen Lerner was an American physician, researcher and professor. Born in 1920 in Minneapolis, he received his medical degree and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Minnesota
in 1945. After teaching at the universities of Michigan and Oregon, he joined the Yale University School of Medicine as an associate professor of medicine in 1955. The following year he became director of the dermatology section within the Department of Internal Medicine, and when the Department of Dermatology was established in 1971 he was appointed its first chair. When Professor Lerner retired in 1991 he was named a Professor Emeritus of Dermatology. He was in 1973 elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences
(Medical physiology and metabolism).
Dr. Lerner is perhaps best known for leading the team of researchers who isolated and named, in 1958, the hormone melatonin
. He was an expert in the metabolic basis of inherited diseases, particularly vitiligo
for which he, in the 1980s, developed a skin transplantation therapy. Lerner also isolated the compound melanocyte-stimulating hormone
(MSH).
Dr. Lerner was married to Marguerite Rush Lerner, M.D., an author of children's books and a book about admission to medical school ("Medical School: The Interview and the Applicant"). Their sons Ethan A. Lerner, M.D., Ph.D. and Michael R. Lerner, M.D., Ph.D. are both dermatologists and successful entrepreneurs. Ethan Lerner is associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital. Michael Lerner is in practice in San Diego, California.
University of Minnesota system
The University of Minnesota is a large university with several campuses spread throughout the U.S. state of Minnesota. There are five primary campuses in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Crookston, Morris, and Rochester. A campus was open in Waseca for a time. The university also operates several...
in 1945. After teaching at the universities of Michigan and Oregon, he joined the Yale University School of Medicine as an associate professor of medicine in 1955. The following year he became director of the dermatology section within the Department of Internal Medicine, and when the Department of Dermatology was established in 1971 he was appointed its first chair. When Professor Lerner retired in 1991 he was named a Professor Emeritus of Dermatology. He was in 1973 elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
(Medical physiology and metabolism).
Dr. Lerner is perhaps best known for leading the team of researchers who isolated and named, in 1958, the hormone melatonin
Melatonin
Melatonin , also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes...
. He was an expert in the metabolic basis of inherited diseases, particularly vitiligo
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition that causes depigmentation of sections of skin. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, die or are unable to function. The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but research suggests that it may arise from autoimmune, genetic, oxidative stress,...
for which he, in the 1980s, developed a skin transplantation therapy. Lerner also isolated the compound melanocyte-stimulating hormone
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
The melanocyte-stimulating hormones are a class of peptide hormones that are produced by cells in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland...
(MSH).
Dr. Lerner was married to Marguerite Rush Lerner, M.D., an author of children's books and a book about admission to medical school ("Medical School: The Interview and the Applicant"). Their sons Ethan A. Lerner, M.D., Ph.D. and Michael R. Lerner, M.D., Ph.D. are both dermatologists and successful entrepreneurs. Ethan Lerner is associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital. Michael Lerner is in practice in San Diego, California.