b. 1942
Robert Weinberg is a prominent American cancer biologist and molecular biologist at MIT's Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. He co-discovered the first human oncogene (RAS) and the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (Rb), establishing foundational principles of cancer's molecular basis. His research has deeply influenced the methodology and interpretation of genetic and association studies in cancer biology.
Co-discovered the first human oncogene (RAS), linking specific mutations to cancer
Discovered the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (Rb), the first tumor suppressor identified in humans
Co-authored the influential 'Hallmarks of Cancer' framework with Douglas Hanahan
Authored 'The Biology of Cancer', a widely used graduate-level textbook
Contributed to debates on the interpretation and limitations of cancer association studies