Adolfo J. de Bold

Dr. Adolfo J. de Bold is the Director of the Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and a Professor of Pathology and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

Born in Argentina, Dr. de Bold completed his university training at the Faculty of Chemical Sciences at the National University of Córdoba where he obtained a professional degree in Clinical Biochemistry. In 1968, Dr. de Bold continued his research and studies in the Department of Pathology at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where he obtained a PhD in Pathology.

Most of Dr. de Bold's research has been dedicated to the study of storage granules in heart cells. In 1980, this work led to his discovery and isolation of Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF), a hormone in the heart previously unknown to the scientific community. This discovery, the result of 12 years of dedicated research, revealed that the heart possesses an endocrine function. Dr. de Bold uncovered that through ANF the heart modulates blood pressure, blood volume, and cardiovascular growth at multiple levels. This incredible finding altered the scientific community's understanding of the heart's physiology and function, and triggered worldwide research on ANF. To date, more than 10,000 basic and clinical science papers on ANF have been published around the world since its discovery almost 20 years ago. This field of research has now matured into clinical therapeutic and diagnostic applications in the treatment of heart failure.

Dr. de Bold's work on ANF has been recognized through numerous distinctions and awards. These include the Gairdner Foundation International Award, the Royal Society of Canada McLaughlin Medal in Medical Research, the Ernest C. Manning Principal Award, the International Society for Hypertension Research Award, and the American Society for Hypertension Award, among others. Dr. de Bold is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and his discovery was recognized as one of the top 10 research discoveries in the past 50 years by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

Dr. de Bold has contributed to the field of cardiovascular research as a teacher, administrator, and scientist. Dr. de Bold was a key contributor to the establishment of the Research Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.