K. Frank Austen was an American immunologist who dedicated his career to revealing the molecular and cellular basis of acute allergic responses. His discoveries shaped our understanding of asthma, and paved the way for medicines that have benefitted millions of people with the respiratory condition.
Early in his career Frank heard of an enigmatic agent that caused severe contraction of the airways in the lung and could not be ameliorated by antihistamine. Frank knew that asthma attacks were also unresponsive to antihistamine, sparking his curiosity that the agent might be involved in the condition.
Working with colleagues, Frank characterised what came to be known as cysteinyl leukotrienes — inflammatory mediators produced by cells of the immune system. They even tested synthetic versions on themselves to prove that they caused the symptoms seen in asthma. Frank elucidated their biosynthesis and functions, which led to the development of leukotriene inhibitors — the first medicine to target the biological cause of asthma attacks.
Professor Frank Austen ForMemRS died on 23 June 2023.
Professional position
- , Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Subject groups
- Microbiology, immunology and developmental biology
Cellular and humoral immunology
- Biochemistry and molecular cell biology
Molecular immunology
- Organismal biology, evolution and ecology
Evolution
