Reflections
The Unexpected Evolution of Basic Science Studies about Cyclic Nucleotide Action into a Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
In these Reflections, I describe my perceived role in discoveries made in the cyclic nucleotide field that culminated in the advent of PDE5 inhibitors that treat erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. The discoveries emphasize the critical role of basic science, which often evolves in unpredictable and circuitous paths, in improving human health.Pioneering the Xenopus Oocyte and Egg Extract System
A Reflections article provides an opportunity to focus on key findings during a career from a personal and historical perspective. As a graduate student in the late 1960s at Berkeley, I was introduced to the Xenopus oocyte by John Gerhart, who shared his fascination with the work of John Gurdon, who had pointed out the unique and powerful features of the oocyte and egg, particularly the ability to microinject biochemically significant amounts of material into them while they carried out complex biological events.
