Impact:

Platelets can form clots, which block the flow of blood, leading to a heart attack or stroke. While researching the cellular mechanism of aggregation at Stony Brook Medicine, Dr. Coller developed a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the action of a key protein receptor involved in platelet aggregation. His discovery and his subsequent collaboration with scientists at Centocor led to the creation of abciximab, a drug that effectively prevents platelets from sticking together and closing off blood vessels after angioplasty. It is distributed under the trade name ReoPro.