An interview by: Lennard Goetze, Ed.D /Editor of Balance & Longevity Magazine
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| Source: MIT News |
A BOLD BEGINNING IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
In 1974, fresh out of his chemical engineering degree, Dr. Langer
made an unconventional decision that set the course of his illustrious career.
Instead of joining an oil company like most of his peers, he chose to work in a
hospital under the mentorship of Dr. Judah Folkman. Their goal was ambitious:
to isolate the first blood vessel inhibitors, which could revolutionize cancer
treatment.
This endeavor required the development of a novel bioassay to study these inhibitors, necessitating the creation of nanoparticles or microparticles capable of delivering large molecules. At the time, many believed such an approach was impossible. Undeterred, Dr. Langer persevered through hundreds of failed attempts before finally succeeding. Even after proving feasibility, he encountered significant skepticism, with his first nine research grant applications being rejected and facing challenges in securing a faculty position in chemical engineering.
Despite these early hurdles, Dr. Langer’s innovations led to major medical breakthroughs. His work on blood vessel inhibitors helped to lay the foundation for widely used cancer drugs such as Avastin, Eylea, and Lucentis. These drugs have since become crucial in treating various cancers and eye diseases, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
His pioneering efforts in drug delivery also had far-reaching
impacts beyond oncology. The techniques developed in his lab helped to facilitate
new treatments for schizophrenia, heart disease, and even the development of
mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, alongside Jay Vacanti, he explored
using materials and cells to create new tissues and organs, a field now known
as tissue engineering or regenerative medicine.
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COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION, TRANSLATION, AND MENTORSHIP
Dr. Langer’s career has been driven by three core objectives:
1. Developing
groundbreaking ideas with the potential to revolutionize medical treatments.
2. Translating these
discoveries into practical applications by founding companies and facilitating
commercialization.
3. Training and mentoring the next generation of scientific leaders. Over a thousand individuals have trained in his lab, many of whom have gone on to become professors, start companies, and contribute to significant scientific advancements.
A strong advocate for early cancer detection, Dr. Langer highlights the importance of biomarkers and cutting-edge technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and advanced imaging techniques. Companies like GRAIL, Seer and PrognomiQ are at the forefront of these innovations, with several promising approaches currently undergoing clinical trials.
Collaboration remains a cornerstone of his work. His lab engages in partnerships with leading institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins, as well as researchers in Spain, Israel, and Japan. Many of his former students and colleagues continue to contribute to scientific advancements worldwide.
PERSEVERANCE IN THE FACE OF SKEPTICISM
Dr. Langer’s career is a testament to the power of persistence. He often shares a message of resilience in his speeches: dream big and never give up, even in the face of criticism. He emulates his problem-solving approach to that of Thomas Edison—experimenting with different designs, materials, and methods until success is achieved.
One notable example of this perseverance is his work on artificial skin. Alongside dermatologist Rox Anderson, Dr. Langer developed a polymer-based coating initially designed for cosmetic applications, such as wrinkle reduction. This technology, however, has potential broader applications in dermatology and wound healing.
THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN MEDICINE AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Dr. Langer emphasizes the importance of rigorous scientific
validation, particularly in medicine. He advocates for regulatory oversight by
organizations like the FDA to ensure medical treatments are both effective and
safe. While scientific publishing plays a critical role in advancing knowledge,
he underscores the necessity of FDA approval before medical applications reach
patients, warning against false advertising that could mislead vulnerable
individuals.
9/22/24- (L) Dr. Robert Langer was the keynote speaker at the SCIENCE ABROAD medical conference in NYC from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).| (M) Dr. Langer shared his work on “Second Skin” or artificial skin under a discussion on wound healing with Dr. Robert Bard. “There are two kinds of artificial skin that I've been involved in… one I call CELL-BASED which they now use for treating burn victims - where you take certain types of cells and put them on a scaffold. I also worked with Dr. Rox Anderson and others on (R) coating based on polymers… its original goal was to be able to put it on skin and remove wrinkles- we got pretty good results with it.”
Dr. Robert Langer’s impact on biotechnology and medicine is immeasurable. His work has saved countless lives, improved the quality of healthcare, and inspired generations of scientists. As research continues to evolve, his contributions serve as a foundation for future breakthroughs, ensuring that innovation in medical science remains vibrant and transformative.
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