Frank J. Dixon
Encyclopedia
Frank James Dixon was an award-winning biomedical researcher, best known for his research into diseases of the immune system
that can damage other organs of the body. Dixon was also noted for having developed techniques involving trace iodines
to study proteins.
Born in St. Paul, Dixon received his bachelor's and M.D. from the University of Minnesota
. He joined the United States Navy
in 1943, after completing his M.D. Dixon was a co-founder and director of the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego.
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
that can damage other organs of the body. Dixon was also noted for having developed techniques involving trace iodines
Iodine in biology
Iodine is an essential trace element for life, the heaviest element commonly needed by living organisms, and the second-heaviest known to be used by any form of life .-The thyroid:Iodine's main role in animal biology is as constituents of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine and...
to study proteins.
Born in St. Paul, Dixon received his bachelor's and M.D. from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. He joined the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in 1943, after completing his M.D. Dixon was a co-founder and director of the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego.
Awards
- Gairdner Foundation International AwardGairdner Foundation International AwardThe Gairdner Foundation International Award is given annually at a special dinner to three to six people for outstanding discoveries or contributions to medical science. Receipt of the Gairdner is traditionally considered a precursor to winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine; as of 2007, 69 Nobel...
, 1969 - Lasker AwardLasker AwardThe Lasker Awards have been awarded annually since 1946 to living persons who have made major contributions to medical science or who have performed public service on behalf of medicine. They are administered by the Lasker Foundation, founded by advertising pioneer Albert Lasker and his wife Mary...
, 1975 - Dickson Prize in Medicine, 1976
- Rous-Whipple Award, 1979
- Member, United States National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe 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...
Further reading
- "Frank J. Dixon, La Jolla pioneer, dies Feb. 8", La Jolla Light, Feb. 13, 2008.