Kobilka and colleagues published the crystal structure of a beta-2 receptor forming a complex with the G protein coupled receptor. This was the first time that a complete complex of an active receptor and it's Gs protein partner were crystallized.They also described some’of the basic molecular interactions of a beta receptor and G protein coupled receptors. The image of this crystallographic complex that they published was described by more romantic molecular biologists as “the first image of the receptor locked in an embrace with its protein partner.” Order of authorship in the original publication: Rasmussen, Devree....Kobilka.

In 2012 Kobilka shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Robert J. Lefkowitz "for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors."

See also No. 14135.

(Thanks to Juan Weiss for this reference and its interpretation.)