Daniel J. Drucker
OC, MD, FRCPC, FRSC, FRS
Not currently accepting students.
Dr. Daniel J. Drucker is University Professor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology, the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre-Novo Nordisk Chair in Incretin Biology, and a Senior Investigator at Sinai Health’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute.
Dr. Drucker is renowned for his breakthrough discoveries of the biological actions of glucagon-like peptide hormone GLP-1, including its key roles in stimulating insulin secretion and reducing food intake. His research has helped to lay the biological foundations for the pharmacological revolution of GLP-1 based medicines that have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. His discovery of the role of GLP-2 in intestinal barrier function has also led to a first-in-class, life-changing treatment for patients with short-bowel syndrome.
Research Synopsis
Dr. Drucker studies a family of hormones called glucagons that are produced in the pancreas, gastrointestinal tract and brain. Controlling blood glucose and insulin secretion, these hormones also regulate our appetite, the absorption of nutrients from the food we eat, and the conversion of those nutrients to energy. Dr. Drucker’s studies of the physiology and molecular biology of glucagon-like peptides have continuously advanced the science of peptide hormones and our understanding of their therapeutic potential. His work has underpinned the development of two classes of medicine for type 2 diabetes (GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors). He has also led the identification of the cardioprotective mechanisms of GLP-1 action, predicting the safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists for treatment of obesity and other chronic conditions. Most recently, Dr. Drucker has identified multiple mechanisms linking GLP-1 to the reduction of inflammation.
Dr. Drucker's scientific discoveries have resulted in 33 US patents supporting translational drug development efforts in the field of peptide-based therapeutics. He has been recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Canada; International Member of the US National Academies of Science and Medicine; and an inductee of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Selected Recent Awards
Frontiers of Knowledge Award for Biology and Biomedicine, Fundación BBVA, Spain, 2025
Time100 Most Influential People, Time Magazine, 2024
Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research, Princess of Asturias Foundation, Spain, 2024
VinFuture Prize for Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields, VinFuture Foundation, Vietnam, 2023
Wolf Prize in Medicine, Wolf Foundation, Israel, 2023
Canada Gairdner International Award, Gairdner Foundation, 2021
Warren Alpert Foundation Prize, Warren Alpert Foundation, United States, 2020
Selected Publications
Wong, C.K.; MacLean, B.A.; Baggio, L.L.; Koehler, J.A.; Hammoud, R.; Rittig, N.; Yabut, J.M.; Seeley, R.J.; Brown, T.K.; Drucker, D.J. (2024). "Central glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor activation inhibits Toll-like receptor agonist-induced inflammation". Cell Metabolism. 36 (1): 130–143. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2023.11.009. PMID 38113888.
Wong, C.K.; Yusta, B.; Koehler, J.A.; Baggio, L.L.; McLean, B.A.; Matthews, D.; Seeley, R.J.; Drucker, D.J. (2022). "Divergent roles for the gut intraepithelial lymphocyte GLP-1R in control of metabolism, microbiota, and T cell-induced inflammation". Cell Metabolism. 34 (10): 1514–1531. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2022.08.003. PMID 36027914.
Kim, M.; Platt, M.; Shibasaki, T.; Quaggin, S.; Backx, P.H.; Seino, S.; Simpson, J.; Drucker, D.J. (2013). "GLP-1 receptor activation and Epac2 link atrial natriuretic peptide secretion to control of blood pressure". Nature Medicine. 19 (5): 567–575. doi:10.1038/nm.3128. PMID 23542788.
Drucker, D. J.; Buse, J. B.; Taylor, K.; Kendall, D. M.; Trautmann, M.; Zhuang, D.; Porter, L. (2008). "Exenatide once weekly versus twice daily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: A randomised, open-label, non-inferiority study". The Lancet. 372 (9645): 1240–1250. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61206-4. PMID 18782641. S2CID 12667840.
Yusta, B; Baggio, L.L.; Estall, J.L.; Koehler, J.A.; Holland, D.P.; Li, H; Pipeleers, D; Ling, Z; Drucker, D.J. (2006). "GLP-1 receptor activation improves beta cell function and survival following induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress". Cell Metabolism. 4 (5): 391–406. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2006.10.001. PMID 17084712.
Drucker, D.J.; Shi, Q.; Crivici, A.; Sumner-Smith, M.; Tavares, W.; Hill, M.; DeForest, L.; Cooper, S.; Brubaker, P.L. (1997). "Regulation of the biological activity of glucagon-like peptide 2 in vivo by dipeptidyl peptidase IV". Nature Biotechnology. 93 (15): 7911–6. doi:10.1038/nbt0797-673. PMID 9219272.
Chen, E.; Drucker, D.J. (1997). "Tissue-specific expression of unique mRNAs that encode proglucagon-derived peptides or exendin 4 in the lizard". Journal of Biochemical Chemistry. 272 (7): 4108–15. doi:10.1074/jbc.272.7.4108. PMID 9020121.
Drucker, D.J.; Ehrlich, P.; Asa, S. L.; Brubaker, P.L. (1996). "Induction of intestinal epithelial proliferation by glucagon-like peptide 2". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 93 (15): 7911–7916. Bibcode:1996PNAS...93.7911D. doi:10.1073/pnas.93.15.7911. PMC 38848. PMID 38848.
Scrocchi, L.S.; Brown, T.J.; Maclusky, N.; Brubaker, P.L.; Auerbach, A.B.; Joyner, A.L.; Drucker, D.J. (1996). "Glucose intolerance but normal satiety in mice with a null mutation in the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor gene". Nature Medicine. 2 (11): 1254–1258. doi:10.1038/nm1196-1254. PMID 8898756.
Drucker, D. J.; Philippe, J; Mojsov, S; Chick, W. L.; Habener, J. F. (1987). "Glucagon-like peptide I stimulates insulin gene expression and increases cyclic AMP levels in a rat islet cell line". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 84 (10): 3434-8. Bibcode:1987PNAS...84.3434D. doi:10.1073/pnas.84.10.3434. PMC 304885. PMID 3033647.