Leading the charge in leptin research: an interview with Jeffrey Friedman

Jeffrey Friedman is a molecular geneticist whose group, in 1994, reported the long-sought identity and function of leptin (Zhang et al., 1994), a key fat-derived hormone that regulates feeding behaviour and body weight. This represented a massive step forward in our understanding of obesity, which is now one of the world’s fastest-growing health problems. Here, he recalls his journey of discovery and offers his perspective on the future of obesity research.