Gideon Rodan
Encyclopedia
Dr. Gideon Alfred Rodan (June 14, 1934 – January 1, 2006) was an American
biochemist
and Doctor of Medicine
.
Rodan was born in Bucharest
, Romania
. He completed an MD at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a PhD at the Weizmann Institute of Science
in Rehovot
, Israel
.
He researched the deformation of bone cell
s. His most notable work was about Osteoporosis
. Rodan researched the connection between osteoblast
s and osteoclast
s and helped to analyse and describe the two. In the 1990s, Rodan, now director of the department for bone biology and osteoporosis at the Merck Research Laboratories, helped to created a compound to block osteoclast-mediated bone resorption
. This compound became known as Alendronate
or Fosamax. In further works he examined the role of steroid
in bone metabolism
and the communication between bones and hormone
s.
From 1970 to 1985, Gideon Rodan taught at the University of Connecticut
School of Dental Medicine until he switched over to Merck. In 1987, Rodan became president of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. He was the editor of the book Principles of Bone Biology (1996).
Gideon Rodan died of cancer
on January 1, 2006 in Bryn Mawr
, Pennsylvania
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
biochemist
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
and Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
.
Rodan was born in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. He completed an MD at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a PhD at the Weizmann Institute of Science
Weizmann Institute of Science
The Weizmann Institute of Science , known as Machon Weizmann, is a university and research institute in Rehovot, Israel. It differs from other Israeli universities in that it offers only graduate and post-graduate studies in the sciences....
in Rehovot
Rehovot
Rehovot is a city in the Center District of Israel, about south of Tel Aviv. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , at the end of 2009 the city had a total population of 112,700. Rehovot's official website estimates the population at 114,000.Rehovot was built on the site of Doron,...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
He researched the deformation of bone cell
Bone cell
There are five types of bone cells.*Osteoblasts - These are commonly called bone-forming cells. They secrete osteoid, which forms the bone matrix. They also begin mieralization, and are unable to divide....
s. His most notable work was about Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
. Rodan researched the connection between osteoblast
Osteoblast
Osteoblasts are mononucleate cells that are responsible for bone formation; in essence, osteoblasts are specialized fibroblasts that in addition to fibroblastic products, express bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin.Osteoblasts produce a matrix of osteoid, which is composed mainly of Type I collagen...
s and osteoclast
Osteoclast
An osteoclast is a type of bone cell that removes bone tissue by removing its mineralized matrix and breaking up the organic bone . This process is known as bone resorption. Osteoclasts were discovered by Kolliker in 1873...
s and helped to analyse and describe the two. In the 1990s, Rodan, now director of the department for bone biology and osteoporosis at the Merck Research Laboratories, helped to created a compound to block osteoclast-mediated bone resorption
Bone resorption
Bone resorption is the process by which osteoclasts break down bone and release the minerals, resulting in a transfer of calcium from bone fluid to the blood....
. This compound became known as Alendronate
Alendronate
Alendronic acid or alendronate sodium — sold as Fosamax by Merck — is a bisphosphonate drug used for osteoporosis and several other bone diseases. It is marketed alone as well as in combination with vitamin D . Merck's U.S...
or Fosamax. In further works he examined the role of steroid
Steroid
A steroid is a type of organic compound that contains a characteristic arrangement of four cycloalkane rings that are joined to each other. Examples of steroids include the dietary fat cholesterol, the sex hormones estradiol and testosterone, and the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.The core...
in bone metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
and the communication between bones and hormone
Hormone
A hormone is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. In essence, it is a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one...
s.
From 1970 to 1985, Gideon Rodan taught at the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
School of Dental Medicine until he switched over to Merck. In 1987, Rodan became president of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. He was the editor of the book Principles of Bone Biology (1996).
Gideon Rodan died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on January 1, 2006 in Bryn Mawr
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr from Welsh for "big hill") is a census-designated place in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia along Lancaster Avenue and the border with Delaware County...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.