Editing Roderick MacKinnon

{{Short description|American biophysicist, neuroscientist, and businessman (born 1956)}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name              = Roderick MacKinnon
| image             = Roderick MacKinnon, M.D. (cropped).jpg
| caption           = MacKinnon in 2014
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1956|02|19}}
| birth_place       = [[Burlington, Massachusetts]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| nationality       = American
| spouse            = [[Jue Chen (scientist)|Jue Chen]] (2017–)
| field             = [[Chemistry]]
| workplaces        = {{plainlist|
*[[Cornell University]]
*[[Harvard University]]
*[[The Rockefeller University]]
}}
| alma_mater        = {{plainlist|
*[[Brandeis University]] ([[B. A.|BA]])
*[[Tufts University School of Medicine|Tufts University]] ([[M. D.|MD]])
}}
| doctoral_advisor  = 
| doctoral_students = 
| known_for         = Potassium Channel Structure
| prizes            = {{plainlist|
*[[Newcomb Cleveland Prize]] {{small|(1997)}}
*[[Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research]] {{small|(1999)}}
*[[Perl-UNC Prize]] {{small|(2001)}}
*[[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] {{small|(2003)}}
*[[Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize]] {{small|(2003)}}
*[[Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research|Bijvoet Medal]] {{small|(2004)}}
}}
}}

'''Roderick MacKinnon''' (born February 19, 1956<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2013-02-19|title=Roderick MacKinnon – pioneer in ion channels in cell membranes|url=https://www.worldofchemicals.com/173/chemistry-articles/roderick-mackinnon-pioneer-in-ion-channels-in-cell-membranes.html|access-date=2020-08-06|website=worldofchemicals.com|language=en-US}}</ref>) is an American biophysicist, neuroscientist, and businessman. He is a professor of molecular neurobiology and [[biophysics]] at [[Rockefeller University]] who won the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] together with [[Peter Agre]] in 2003 for his work on the structure and operation of [[ion channel]]s.<ref name="bnl">{{cite news|url=http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/2003/bnlip100803.htm|title=2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Researcher Roderick MacKinnon|date=October 8, 2003|publisher=Brookhaven National Labs|access-date=11 February 2010}}</ref><ref name="rock">{{cite web|url=https://www.rockefeller.edu/news/3783-nobel-prize-honors-rockefeller-university-scientist-roderick-mackinnon-for-revealing-process-of-electrical-signaling-in-humans-and-other-living-organisms/|title=Nobel Prize honors Rockefeller University scientist Roderick MacKinnon for revealing process of electrical signaling in humans and other living organisms|date=October 8, 2003|publisher=The Rockefeller University|access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="pmid11385491">{{cite journal |author=Birmingham K |title=Rod MacKinnon |journal=Nat. Med. |volume=7 |issue=6 |pages=648 |date=June 2001 |pmid=11385491 |doi=10.1038/89005 |s2cid=21231263 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Biography==

===Early life and education===
MacKinnon was born in [[Burlington, Massachusetts]] and initially attended the [[University of Massachusetts Boston]]. MacKinnon then transferred to [[Brandeis University]] after one year, and there he received a bachelor's degree in [[biochemistry]] in 1978, studying [[calcium]] transport through the [[cell membrane]] for his honors thesis in Christopher Miller's laboratory. It was also at Brandeis where MacKinnon met his future wife and working-colleague Alice Lee.<ref name="autobio">{{cite book|last=MacKinnon|first=Roderick|title=The Nobel Prizes 2003|editor=Tore Frängsmyr|publisher=Nobel Foundation|location=Stockholm, Sweden|date=October 2003|access-date=11 February 2010|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2003/mackinnon/auto-biography/}}</ref>

After receiving his bachelor's degree from [[Brandeis University]], MacKinnon entered medical school at [[Tufts University]].<ref name="pmid11385491" /> He got his M.D. in 1982 and received training in Internal Medicine at [[Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center|Beth Israel Hospital]] in Boston. He did not feel satisfied enough with the medical profession, so in 1986 he returned to Christopher Miller's laboratory at Brandeis for postdoctoral studies.<ref name="autobio" />

===Career===
In 1989 he was appointed assistant professor at [[Harvard University]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2003|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2003/mackinnon/biographical/|access-date=2020-08-04|website=NobelPrize.org|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Laureate – Roderick MacKinnon|url=https://www.mediatheque.lindau-nobel.org/laureates/mackinnon|access-date=2020-08-04|website=Lindau Nobel Mediatheque|language=en}}</ref> where he studied the interaction of the [[potassium channel]] with a specific toxin derived from scorpion venom, acquainting himself with methods of protein purification and [[X-ray crystallography]]. In 1996 he moved to [[Rockefeller University]] as a professor and head of the Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology and Biophysics where he started to work on the structure of the potassium channel. These channels are of particular importance to the [[nervous system]] and the heart and enable potassium ions to cross the [[cell membrane]].

==Scientific contributions==
Potassium channels demonstrate a seemingly counterintuitive activity: they permit the passage of potassium ions, whereas they do not allow the passage of the much smaller [[sodium]] ions. Before MacKinnon's work, the detailed molecular architecture of potassium channels and the exact means by which they conduct ions remained speculative.{{verification needed|date=May 2025}}

In 1998, despite barriers to the [[structural biology|structural]] study of [[integral membrane protein]]s that had thwarted most attempts for decades, MacKinnon and colleagues determined the three-dimensional molecular structure of a potassium channel from an actinobacterium, ''Streptomyces lividans'', utilizing [[X-ray crystallography]]. With this structure and other biochemical experiments, MacKinnon and colleagues were able to explain the exact mechanism by which [[Potassium channel#Selectivity filter|potassium channel selectivity]] occurs.<ref name="pmid9525854">{{cite journal |vauthors=MacKinnon R, Cohen SL, Kuo A, Lee A, Chait BT |title=Structural conservation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic potassium channels |journal=Science |volume=280 |issue=5360 |pages=106–9 |date=April 1998 |pmid=9525854 |doi=10.1126/science.280.5360.106 |bibcode = 1998Sci...280..106M }}</ref><ref name="pmid9525859">{{cite journal  |vauthors=Doyle DA, Morais Cabral J, Pfuetzner RA, etal |title=The structure of the potassium channel: molecular basis of K+ conduction and selectivity |journal=Science |volume=280 |issue=5360 |pages=69–77 |date=April 1998 |pmid=9525859 |doi=10.1126/science.280.5360.69 |bibcode=1998Sci...280...69D}}</ref>

His prize-winning research was conducted primarily at the [[Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source]] (CHESS) of [[Cornell University]], and at the [[National Synchrotron Light Source]] (NSLS) of [[Brookhaven National Laboratory]].<ref name="bnlnobel">{{cite web|url=http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/history/nobel/nobel_03.asp|title=The Chemistry of the Cell|publisher=Brookhaven National Lab|access-date=13 March 2010}}</ref>

MacKinnon was elected to the [[American Philosophical Society]] in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|title=APS Member History|url=https://search.amphilsoc.org/memhist/search?creator=Roderick+MacKinnon&title=&subject=&subdiv=&mem=&year=&year-max=&dead=&keyword=&smode=advanced|access-date=2021-05-28|website=search.amphilsoc.org}}</ref> In 2007 he became a foreign member of the [[Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.knaw.nl/en/members/foreign-members/7414 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213193939/https://www.knaw.nl/en/members/foreign-members/7414 |title=R. MacKinnon |publisher=Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences |archive-date=13 February 2016 |access-date=13 February 2016}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==

* 1997: Newcomb Cleveland Prize<ref name=":0" />
* 1998: W. Alden Spencer Award<ref name=":0" />
* 1999: Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award<ref>{{cite web |title=Function and structure of ion channels |url=https://laskerfoundation.org/winners/function-and-structure-of-ion-channels/ |website=Lasker Foundation |publisher=Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation |access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref> 
* 2000: Rosenstiel Award<ref name=":0" />
* 2001: Gairdner Foundation International Award<ref name=":0" />
* 2003: Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize<ref name=":0" />
* 2003: Nobel Prize in Chemistry<ref name=":0" />

==Business activities==
MacKinnon is co-inventor with his friend and scientific collaborator, neurobiologist Bruce Bean of [[Harvard Medical School]], of a [[dietary supplement]] for treating and preventing muscle cramps; they tested it in clinical trials and are co-founders a company to commercialize their invention, Flex Pharma.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Scientific Solution to (Finally) Stop Muscle Cramps|url=http://www.outsideonline.com/2007171/scientific-solution-muscle-cramps|access-date=20 July 2016|publisher=Outside|date=1 September 2015}}</ref> [[Christoph Westphal]] and Jennifer Cermak were co-founders as well.<ref name=XconomyFlexFounding>{{cite news|last1=Fidler|first1=Ben|title=To Fight Cramps, Christoph Westphal Taps Boston All-Stars for $40M|url=http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2014/09/09/to-fight-cramps-christoph-westphal-taps-boston-all-stars-for-40m/|work=Xconomy|date=9 September 2014}}</ref>   The company undertook [[drug development]] of a formulation of supplement as a drug candidate for neuromuscular disorders like [[ALS]], and raised a $40 million Series A round.<ref name=XconomyFlexFounding/><ref name=FierceFlexFounding>{{cite news|last1=Carroll|first1=John|title=Christoph Westphal launches another biotech, with the help of some wealthy friends|url=http://www.fiercebiotech.com/venture-capital/christoph-westphal-launches-another-biotech-help-of-some-wealthy-friends|work=FierceBiotech|date=September 8, 2014|language=en}}</ref>  The company had an $86 million [[initial public offering]] in 2015.<ref name=FierceFlexIPO>{{cite news|last1=Garde|first1=Damian|title=Flex Pharma pulls off an $86M IPO for its cramp-treating spice cocktail|url=http://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/flex-pharma-pulls-off-an-86m-ipo-for-its-cramp-treating-spice-cocktail|access-date=20 July 2016|publisher=Fierce Biotech|date=28 January 2015}}</ref>  In 2016, the company launched "HotShot" as a dietary supplement for endurance athletes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fuel Buzz: New HotShot Drink Aimed at Preventing Cramps|url=http://running.competitor.com/2016/06/news/fuel-buzz-new-hotshot-drink-aimed-preventing-cramps_151129|access-date=20 July 2016|publisher=Competitor|date=2 June 2016}}</ref>  In June 2018 the company halted clinical development of the drug candidate due to tolerability issues, cut its workforce, and said it was considering its strategy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Al Idrus |first1=Amirah |title=Flex Pharma dumps midstage trials, cuts workforce, mulls a sale to stay alive |url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/flex-pharma-dumps-midstage-trials-cuts-workforce-mulls-a-sale-to-stay-alive |work=FierceBiotech |date=June 13, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=10Q Quarterly Report |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1615219/000161521918000052/flks2018063010-q.htm |website=www.sec.gov |publisher=Flex via SEC Edgar |date=1 August 2018}}</ref> In July 2018 MacKinnon resigned from the board of directors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Form 8K |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1615219/000161521918000042/a8-kforrm.htm |publisher=Flex via SEC Edgar |date=25 July 2018}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.vega.org.uk/video/programme/121 Interview with Roderick MacKinnon by Harry Kroto] Freeview video provided by the Vega Science Trust.
* [http://lab.rockefeller.edu/mackinnon/ Website of his lab at The Rockefeller University]
* [http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/specialcollections/events/2008legacyaward/video-mackinnon.html Ion Channel Chemistry: The Electrical System of Life] Transcribed video of a May 2008 talk by MacKinnon, sponsored by the [[Oregon State University]] Libraries.
* [http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=550 Nobel Lecture by Roderick MacKinnon, 2003]
* [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Introduction_to_Neuroscience/jXnkai44PxYC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Roderick+MacKinnon&pg=PA68&printsec=frontcover ''Introduction to Neuroscience'' by Donald C.Cooper]
* {{Nobelprize}}
{{Nobel Prize in Chemistry Laureates 2001-2025}}
{{2003 Nobel Prize winners}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mackinnon, Roderick}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American physicists]]
[[Category:21st-century American physicists]]
[[Category:American biophysicists]]
[[Category:American company founders]]
[[Category:American inventors]]
[[Category:American neuroscientists]]
[[Category:American Nobel laureates]]
[[Category:Bijvoet Medal recipients]]
[[Category:Brandeis University alumni]]
[[Category:Brookhaven National Laboratory Nobel laureates]]
[[Category:Brookhaven National Laboratory staff]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Chief executives in the pharmaceutical industry]]
[[Category:Harvard University faculty]]
[[Category:Howard Hughes Medical Investigators]]
[[Category:Members of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences]]
[[Category:Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences]]
[[Category:Nobel laureates in Chemistry]]
[[Category:People from Burlington, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research]]
[[Category:Scientists from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Tufts University School of Medicine alumni]]
[[Category:Members of the American Philosophical Society]]