Frank J. Dixon

Frank James Dixon (March 9, 1920 – February 8, 2008) was an American biomedical researcher, known for his research into autoimmunity – diseases of the immune system that can damage other organs of the body – as well as for developing radioactive labeling techniques to study proteins. He held a chair in the pathology department of the University of Pittsburgh (1951–61). In 1961, he co-founded the Scripps Research Institute, and was its inaugural director (1961–86).

Early life, education and military service Dixon was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1920.

In 1936, he went to the University of Minnesota, at first studying mathematics and then medicine; he received his bachelor's degree and M.D. in 1942. He joined the United States Navy in 1943, He retired in 1987.

He then used the radiolabeling technique to research serum sickness, which occurred when animal serum containing antibodies was used to treat people with bacterial infections. He showed in experimental animals that high levels of complexes between antibody and proteins could be demonstrated in tissues that were injured in cases of serum sickness, such as the kidneys, heart, blood vessels and joints. He also showed that these immune complexes led to inflammation, via activating the complement cascade. the Lasker Award (1975), and the Rous-Whipple Award (1979). He was elected a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences in 1971.