# Earl Wilbur Sutherland, Jr.

> American pharmacologist (1915–1974)

**Wikidata**: [Q68118](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68118)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Wilbur_Sutherland_Jr.)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/earl-wilbur-sutherland-jr

## Summary

Earl Wilbur Sutherland, Jr. was an American pharmacologist and biochemist who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1971 for his discovery of the mechanisms of hormone action, specifically the role of cyclic AMP as a second messenger. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern understanding of how hormones regulate cellular processes and earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Albert Lasker Award and the National Medal of Science.

## Biography

- **Born:** 1915
- **Died:** 1974
- **Nationality:** American (United States)
- **Education:** [Degrees and institutions not specified in source material]
- **Known for:** Discovery of cyclic AMP (cAMP) as a second messenger in hormone action; pioneering work in cellular signaling mechanisms
- **Employer(s):**
  - Washington University in St. Louis
  - Washburn University
  - University of Washington
  - Washington University School of Medicine
  - Vanderbilt University
  - Case Western Reserve University
  - University of Miami
- **Field(s):**
  - Pharmacology
  - Biochemistry
  - Physiology
  - Medicine

## Contributions

- **Discovery of Cyclic AMP (cAMP):** Identified cyclic AMP as a critical intracellular signaling molecule that mediates the effects of hormones like epinephrine, fundamentally changing understanding of cellular communication
- **Second Messenger Theory:** Established the mechanism by which hormones exert their effects on target cells through intracellular signaling cascades
- **Research on Hormone Action:** Conducted foundational studies on how epinephrine and glucagon regulate glycogen breakdown in liver cells
- **Collaboration with Carl Ferdinand Cori:** Worked with Nobel laureate Carl Ferdinand Cori (1896–1984), a Czech-American biochemist known for the Cori cycle research

## FAQs

**What was Earl Wilbur Sutherland's most significant scientific discovery?**
Sutherland's most important contribution was the discovery of cyclic AMP (cAMP) as a second messenger, which explained how hormones communicate with cells and trigger specific physiological responses.

**Which universities was Earl Wilbur Sutherland affiliated with?**
Sutherland was affiliated with multiple institutions including Washington University in St. Louis, Washburn University, University of Washington, Vanderbilt University, Case Western Reserve University, and the University of Miami.

**What awards did Earl Wilbur Sutherland receive?**
Sutherland received six major awards: the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1971), Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, Canada Gairdner International Award, National Medal of Science, Dickson Prize in Medicine, and the Banting Medal for diabetes research.

**Who was Earl Wilbur Sutherland's notable collaborator?**
Sutherland worked with Carl Ferdinand Cori, a Czech Nobel prize laureate (1896–1984) known for his work on carbohydrate metabolism.

**What professional organizations was Earl Wilbur Sutherland a member of?**
Sutherland was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

## Why They Matter

Earl Wilbur Sutherland's discovery of cyclic AMP as a second messenger revolutionized biomedical science and fundamentally transformed understanding of cellular signaling. Before his research, the mechanism by which hormones affected target cells was poorly understood. His work provided the conceptual framework for how hormones communicate with cells, triggering intracellular cascades that produce specific physiological responses. This discovery has had profound implications for understanding numerous biological processes and diseases, and it paved the way for advances in endocrinology, pharmacology, and molecular biology. Without Sutherland's pioneering work, modern understanding of how cells communicate and respond to hormonal signals would not exist, and countless therapeutic interventions targeting cellular signaling pathways would not have been developed.

## Notable For

- Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1971) for discovery of the mechanisms of hormone action
- Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
- Canada Gairdner International Award
- National Medal of Science
- Dickson Prize in Medicine (1969)
- Banting Medal for diabetes research
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Earl Wilbur Sutherland, Jr. was born in 1915 in the United States. As an American scientist, he would become one of the most influential figures in pharmacology and biochemistry of the twentieth century. His nationality as an American is confirmed through his affiliations with U.S. institutions and recognition by American scientific organizations.

### Education and Training

While specific educational details are not provided in the source material, Sutherland's subsequent career trajectory and collaborations indicate extensive scientific training. His work with Carl Ferdinand Cori, who won the Nobel Prize in 1947 for discovering the Cori cycle, suggests Sutherland received rigorous training in biochemistry and physiology at a high level.

### Academic Appointments and Career

Sutherland held positions at seven major American universities throughout his career:

**Washington University in St. Louis:** A private research university established in 1853, located in St. Louis, Missouri. This institution served as one of Sutherland's primary academic homes where he conducted much of his Nobel Prize-winning research.

**Washburn University:** A public university in Topeka, Kansas, founded in 1865. This represents an earlier appointment in Sutherland's career trajectory.

**University of Washington:** A public research university in Seattle, Washington, established in 1861. Sutherland was affiliated with this institution, one of the leading research universities in the Pacific Northwest.

**Washington University School of Medicine:** The medical school component of Washington University in St. Louis, founded in 1891. This is where Sutherland's medical and pharmacological research was conducted.

**Vanderbilt University:** A private university in Nashville, Tennessee, founded in 1873. Sutherland held a position at this institution during his career.

**Case Western Reserve University:** A private university in Cleveland, Ohio, formed in 1967 through the merger of Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University. This represents another significant academic affiliation.

**University of Miami:** A private university in Coral Gables, Florida, founded in 1925. This completes the list of Sutherland's seven documented institutional affiliations.

### Scientific Contributions

Sutherland's most significant scientific achievement was the discovery of cyclic AMP (cAMP) as a cellular second messenger. This discovery fundamentally changed understanding of hormone action. Before his research, scientists understood that hormones could affect target cells but did not understand the intracellular mechanisms involved. Sutherland demonstrated that when hormones like epinephrine bind to cell surface receptors, they trigger the production of cAMP inside the cell, which then activates specific enzymes and produces the physiological response.

This work was conducted primarily through studies on how epinephrine and glucagon regulate glycogen breakdown in liver cells. The research explained the mechanism behind the "fight or flight" response and how the body mobilizes energy during stress. The implications extended far beyond this initial discovery, as cAMP was later found to be involved in countless cellular signaling processes.

### Recognition and Awards

Sutherland received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to medical science:

**Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1971):** The highest recognition in medical science, awarded for his discovery of the mechanisms of hormone action, specifically the role of cyclic AMP as a second messenger.

**Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research:** An American award for fundamental discoveries that open new areas of biomedical science, established in 1946.

**Canada Gairdner International Award:** An international award recognizing outstanding achievements in medical science, established in 1959.

**National Medal of Science:** The highest American honor for contributions to scientific knowledge, awarded since 1963.

**Dickson Prize in Medicine:** An American science award established in 1969.

**Banting Medal:** An American award for diabetes research, established in 1941. This award specifically recognizes contributions to understanding and treating diabetes, an area directly related to Sutherland's work on hormone action and cellular metabolism.

### Professional Memberships and Recognition

Sutherland was elected to three of the most prestigious scientific organizations in the United States:

**National Academy of Sciences:** Founded in 1863, this is the premier scientific body providing independent advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology.

**American Academy of Arts and Sciences:** Founded in 1780, this is an honorary society and policy research center recognizing outstanding achievement in arts, sciences, and humanities.

**American Association for the Advancement of Science:** Founded in 1848, this is an international non-profit organization promoting science, the largest general scientific society in the world.

### Legacy and Impact

Sutherland's discovery of cyclic AMP as a second messenger created an entirely new paradigm in cellular biology and endocrinology. His work provided the foundation for understanding how hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules communicate with cells. This understanding has been crucial for developing treatments for numerous diseases, including various hormonal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic conditions.

The conceptual framework he established has influenced generations of researchers in pharmacology, biochemistry, physiology, and medicine. Without his pioneering work, modern understanding of cellular signal transduction would not exist, and many therapeutic approaches that target cellular signaling pathways would not have been developed.

### Personal Background

Sutherland passed away in 1974 at the age of 58. His full name appears in various forms in the source material: Earl Wilbur Sutherland, Earl Sutherland, Earl Sutherland, Jr., Earl W. Sutherland, Jr., and Earl W. Sutherland. He is documented as having 50 sitelinks across wikimedia projects, indicating significant coverage in encyclopedic sources.

## References

1. [Source](https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/mpb/person/earl-w-sutherland-jr-m-d/)
2. Find a Grave
3. [1970 Winners. Lasker Foundation](http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/1970basic.htm)
4. [The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1971. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1971/summary/)
5. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. NNDB
9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
10. SNAC
11. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. Munzinger Personen
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. Catalogo of the National Library of India