Bibliographic Information

Selected topics in the history of biochemistry

Albert Neuberger, Laurens L.M. van Deenen, Giorgio Semenza

(Comprehensive biochemistry, section 6, v. 30-44 . A history of biochemistry ; v. 35-38, 40-44)

Elsevier Science Publishers, 1983-2005

  • v. [1]
  • v. [2]
  • v. [3]
  • v. [4]
  • v. [5]
  • v. [6]
  • v. [7]
  • v. [8]
  • v. [9]

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Note

v. [4] volume editors: E.C. Slater, Rainer Jaenicke, Giorgio Semenza

v. [7-9] volume editors: Giorgio Semenza, A.J. Turner

v. [1]. Personal recollections. I -- v. [2]. Personal recollections. II -- v. [3]. Personal recollections. III -- v. [4]. Personal recollections. IV -- v. [5]. Personal recollections. V -- v. [6]. Personal recollections. VI -- v. [7]. Personal recollections. VII -- v. [8]. Personal recollections. VIII -- v. [9]. Personal recollections. IX

Includes bibliographical references and indexes

Description and Table of Contents
Volume

v. [6] ISBN 9780444505477

Description

These volumes are of interest to bioscientists and to historians alike. Many authors, both as individuals and as scientists, lived and worked in the 'age of extremes' in the so-called 'short 20th century', and yet contributed significantly to the unprecedented development of life sciences in this period. These 'oral histories', set against a backdrop of the Second World War, Holocaust, and Stalinist terror, are thus of interest and relevance to older and younger generations alike. Perhaps the lessons learned from these first-hand accounts may contribute in some way to ensuring that future scientists can enjoy the fascination of science undisturbed by the avoidable tragedy of man-made events.The contributors to this volume in the Comprehensive Biochemistry series encompass a wide variety of experiences in many different countries and in very different fields of biochemistry. Some have worked close to the laboratory bench throughout their scientific life and are continuing to do so. Others have been closely engaged in organizational matters, both nationally and internationally. All mention incidents in their own career or have observed those in others that will be of interest to future historians who will record and assess the period in which our contributors have lived and worked. It was an extremely exciting time for the life sciences. It was also a period of major and often tragic historical events that deeply affected the life and work of the generation to which our contributors belong.

Table of Contents

Preface to Volume 41 Contributors to this Volume Chapter 1. Enemy Alien (M.F. Perutz) Chapter 2. Kaj Linderstrom-Lang (1896-1959) (J. Schellman, C. Schellman). A late-blooming scientist. The Carlsberg Laboratory. Lang's scientific career. Linderstrom-Lang, the man. Acknowledgements and references for further reading. References. Chapter 3. Strife and Hope in the Lives of a Scientist Couple (M. Barany, K. Barany) Years of 1939-1945. The Szent-Gyoergyi Institute. The Straub Institute. The Weizmann Institute. The Weber Institute. Institute for Muscle Disease. University of Illinois at Chicago. Concluding remarks. Acknowledgements. References. Chapter 4. Half a Century with TMV and Biophysics (M.A. Lauffer). Beginnings. The Princeton years. The move to Pittsburgh. The Virus Research Program. The Biophysics Department. The Lipoprotein Program. Hydration. Form and function. Deaning. Inactivation of viruses by X-rays. Fort Dietrich. Compliments. The McCarthy era. Whiskers. Hydrodynamics. The middle 1950s to the middle 1960s. The education enterprise. Motion in biological systems. Entropy-driven processes in biology. The meaning of entropy-driven processes. Retired living. References. Chapter 5. The Initial Step in my Science Career (H. Fujita). Prologue. Getting a job at the Department of Fisheries. Non-linear diffusion. My stay in Leiden. Moving to the United States. Days on the Madison campus. Epilogue. References. Chapter 6. Fascination in Modeling Motifs (H. Kuhn). 1920s and 1930s. Werner Kuhn and modeling polymer molecules. Linus Pauling and attempts in quantum chemistry. Niels Bohr and the branched electron systems. Tests and refinements of the free electron model. Coupled oscillator approach. The 1950s and today. Supramolecular machines. Scheibe aggregates. Copying at the molecular level. Manipulating electron and proton motion. Origin of life. Concluding remarks. Acknowledgements. References. Chapter 7. Erik Jorpes - A Pragmatic Physiological Chemist (V. Mutt, M. Blomback). Erik Jorpes' childhood and youth. Jorpes as a grantee in America: nucleic acids, endocrine secretion of pancreas, secretin, insulin, and heparin. Erik Jorpes and other studies by his colleagues in clinical medicine. Other important research in the department. Edman and protein characterization. Viktor Mutt's recollections of Erik Jorpes in the research environment in 1944. Recollections of Margareta Blomback on the working environment in the 1950s and the early 1960s. Erik Jorpes as historian and teacher. Jorpes and the international research community. Jorpes as a person. References. Chapter 8. Half a Century Between Carbohydrates and Proteins (N. Sharon). Introduction. Family and childhood in Poland. Growing up in Palestine. Choosing biochemistry as a profession. How I started with carbohydrates. Into protein biosynthesis. Returning to carbohydrates. Learning about enzyme mechanisms. Back in the Laboratory for Carbohydrate Research. Lysozyme, peptidoglycan and penicillin. My first glycoprotein and first lectin. Obscure proteins as markers for cancer cells. Chemical and biological characterization of soybean agglutinin. Enter peanut agglutinin. A life-saving application. Bacterial surface lectins and infectious disease. Carbohydrates in anti-adhesion therapy. Early evidence for innate immunity. Atomic basis of carbohydrate-protein interactions. The first galectin. Spreading the gospel. Acknowledgements. References. Chapter 9. Interplanetary Travels (G. Schatz). Mars. Jupiter. Mercury. Saturn, Pluto or beyond? Acknowledgements. References. Chapter 10. A Life-Long Quest for Biochemical Regulation (Helmut Holzer, 1921-1997) (K. Decker). Growing up. First contacts with science. Studies on the regulation of glycolysis. Professor of Biochemistry in Freiburg. The thiamine-pyrophosphate-activated oxo compounds. The regulation of glutamine synthetase of E. coli. Involvement in university politics. The function of proteolysis in cellular regulation. Regulation through chemical modification of enzymes. The trehalose project. Final remarks. Acknowledgements. References. Chapter 11. A German Biochemist in the Twentieth Century (K. Decker). The beginning. A new start after World War II. Joining Feodor Lynen. Do it yourself! Nicotine - an early favorite also in Freiburg. The fascinating life without oxygen. Paying tribute to the genius loci. A memorable episode - sabbatical in Michigan. Chance strikes when it is least expected. The career of an amino sugar. The liver, an organ for living. How to organize a research team? Service to scientific organizations. Kupffer cells are not for plumbers. Shrinking stars. Academia. Is research on nicotine addictive? Getting cooler. Indian summer. Nicotine - A and . Resume. References. Chapter 12. Life with tRNA, Chromatin, Immunoglobulin Genes: Recollections of a German Molecular Biologist (H.G. Zachau). Family background and early education. Student years. Postdoc in the US. Exploring the non-scientific world. tRNA research in Munich and Cologne 1958-1966. 1961-1966, one of the golden ages of molecular biology. From tRNA to chromatin. Teaching. Society games, councils, boards and relations to industry. Immunoglobulin genes. Last years in office and retirement. Epilogue. References. Chapter 13. A Biochemist by Chance: Alessandro Rossi Fanelli, Builder of the Roman School of Biological Chemistry (G. Amiconi). Biochemist by chance. The years of apprenticeship. Sentimental education. Seeds of glory on a field well-tilled by illustrious predecessors. In the chair at Pavia. In Rome, starting again from zero. After the solid foundation, the grand construction. Official recognition. Teaching: without enthusiasm, but seriously. Two lines of research among the many. Not only scientists but also managers. Human quality and surroundings. Acknowledgements. References. Chapter 14. The Early History of Biochemistry in Israel (N. Sharon). Introduction. The beginnings. Andor Fodor - primus omnium primorum. Proteins and enzymes. Only a few immigrated. The study of lipids. Carbohydrate research pioneer. From polysaccharides to signal transduction. Chemistry of macromolecules. Sugars, polyelectrolytes, mechanochemistry and membrane transport. Synthetic polypeptides as protein models. Imported topics. Rapid growth. Concluding remarks. Acknowledgements. References. Name Index.
Volume

v. [7] ISBN 9780444509246

Description

This book is the latest volume in a highly successful series within Comprehensive Biochemistry and provides a historical and autobiographical perspective of the development of the field through the contributions of leading individuals who reflect on their careers and their impact on biochemistry. The book is essential reading for everybody, from graduate student to professor, placing in context major advances not only in biochemical terms but in relation to historical and social developments. Readers will be delighted by the lively style and the insight into the lives and careers of leading scientists of their time.

Table of Contents

1. Fifty years in the world of proteins (C. Tanford). 2. Proteins, life and evolution (H. Jo). 3. Pehr Victor Edman: The solitary genius (B. Blomback). 4. A privileged life (T.C. Laurent). 5. RNA enzymology and beyond (U.Z. Littauer). 6. Some selected recollections from a life with biochemistry (H. Klenow). 7. A risky job: In search of noncanonical pathways (V.P. Skulachev). 8. Fifty years of biochemistry as enjoyed by a medical biochemist motivated by an interest in diabetes (P.J. Randle). 9. My happy days with lac repressor - in a dark world (B. Muller-Hill). 10. A dark side of science in difficult times (B. Muller-Hill). 11. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase and the processes of energy transduction in biological systems (L. de Meis)
Volume

v. [8] ISBN 9780444517227

Description

Foundation Symposium 11, held between 6 and 9 Octo Foundation Symposium 11, held between 6 and 9 Octo
Volume

v. [9] ISBN 9780444518668

Description

This book is the latest volume in the highly successful series Comprehensive Biochemistry. It provides a historical and autobiographical perspective of the developments in the field through the contributions of leading individuals who reflect on their careers and their impact on biochemistry. Volume 44 is essential reading for everyone from graduate student to professor, placing in context major advances not only in biochemical terms but in relation to historical and social developments. Readers will be delighted by the lively style and the insight into the lives and careers of leading scientists of their time.

Table of Contents

1. Glucose catabolism in yeast and muscle (J.A. Barnett) 2. A lifetime with microbes (G.N. Cohen) 3. Wearing two hats (G. Dirheimer) 4. Of Mice and Men - the Mx connection (J. Lindemann) 5. An unconventional Journey to Neuroscience (R. Rodnight) 6. Nikolai Vavilov: Life in the case of science or science at a cost of life (L. Kisselev)
Volume

v. [3] ISBN 9780444812162

Description

As in Volumes 35 and 36, the chapters in this new volume complement, with personal recollections, the History of Biochemistry that was covered in the Comprehensive Biochemistry Series, Volumes 30-33 by M. Florkin and Volume 34A by P. Laszlo. The biographical and autobiographical chapters will convey to the reader a lively, albeit at times subjective, view of the scientific and social environment in which the authors have worked, resulting in new concepts and Theories on the biological sciences.

Table of Contents

Content Headings: Physics and the riddle of life, M. Perutz. An octogenarian looks back, A. Neuberger. Wladimir Engelhardt: the man and the scientist, L.L. Kissilev. Autobiographical notes from a nomadic biochemist, H.M. Kalckar. Enzyme regulation: from allosteric sites to intracellular behavior, A. Sols, C. Cancedo and J.J. Aragon. Jean Brachet (1909-1988), H. Chantrenne. My love affair with membranes, A. Rothstein. Never a dull moment: peripatetics through the gardens of science and life, H.H. Eisenberg. The highest grade of this clarifying activity has no limit - Confucious, C.-L. Tsou. Imprint: Elsevier Amsterdam
Volume

v. [4] ISBN 9780444819420

Description

The editors invited selected authors who had participated in or observed developments in biochemistry and molecular biology, particularly in the second half of this century, to record their personal recollections of the times and circumstances in which they worked. Having been given free reign, both content and style of the contruibutions reflect the flavour of the personality of the author.The book reflects the explosive development of biochemistry and molecular biology and related sciences that had led to the almost unique situation of these fields coming of age at a time when their founding fathers, or their scientific children, were alive and well.The contributions in this volume encompass a wide variety of experiences in many different countries and in very different fields of biochemistry.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Life, luck and logic in biochemical research (F. Lynen). 2. Memories of Heidelberg - and of other places (T. Wieland). 3. Stepping stones - building bridges (B. Witkop). 4. Recollections: Vacillation of a classical biochemist (E.J.M. Helmreich). 5. These are the moments when we live! From thunberg tubes and manometry to phone, fax and fedex (H. Beinert). 6. Chorismic acid and beyond (F. Gibson). 7. Charge separation: A personal involvement in fundamental biological process (R.N. Robertson). 8. A biochemical autobiography (C. Rimington). 9. The importance of asking questions (P.N. Campbell).
Volume

v. [5] ISBN 9780444826589

Description

The Editors invited selected authors who had participated in or observed the explosive development of biochemistry and molecular biology particularly in the second half of this century to record their personal recollections of the times and circumstances in which they did their work. The authors were given a completely free rein with respect to both content and style and the editors have made no attempt to impose any sort of uniformity in the chapters. Each reflects the flavour of the personality of the author.The contributors to this volume encompass a wide variety of experiences in many different countries and in very different fields of biochemistry. Some have worked close to the laboratory bench throughout their scientific life and are continuing to do so. Others have been closely engaged in organisational matters, both nationally and internationally. All mention incidents in their own career or have observed those in others that will be of interest to future historians who will record and assess the period in which our contributors lived and worked. It was an extremely exciting time for life sciences.

Table of Contents

Preface to Volume 40. Contributors to this Volume.Chapter 1. Wandering in the Fields of Science (S. Lifson). Chapter 2. Keilin and the Molteno (M.F. Perutz). Introduction. Keilin's favourite. Warburton and the Siberian tick. Frail health. Lack of tenure. Chapter 3. An Australian Biochemist in Four Countries (E.C. Slater). Introduction. Early life in Australia 1917-1939. Family background. Schooling. University education. First research. Australian Institute of Anatomy 1939-1946. World War II work interlude (1942-1943). Return to Canberra. Cambridge 1946-1949. Molteno Institute. Australian National University. USA 1949-1950. Return to Cambridge 1950-1955. Enzyme kinetics. Stability of isolated mitochondria. Oxidative phosphorylation. Offer of Amsterdam Chair. Amsterdam 1955-1985. Starting in Amsterdam. First five years in Amsterdam 1955-1960. Second five years 1961-1965. The second decade (1965-1975). Reorganization of Netherlands universities as a result of student pressure. The last decade in Amsterdam 1975-1985. Extra-university activities. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Nomenclature. EMBO and EMBL. The Royal Netherlands Academy of Science. The Netherlands Organization of Pure Scientific Research (ZWO). International Union of Biochemistry (IUB). China. Retirement. Concluding remarks. References. Chapter 4. A Lifetime Journey with Photosynthesis (A.A. Krasnovsky). Preface. Introduction. Childhood and primary education. Professional education in chemistry. War and the beginning of the biochemical career. Photochemistry of chlorophyll. Reversible chlorophyll photoreduction. Reversible chlorophyll photooxidation. Chase for free radicals. Chlorophyll-photosensitized electron transfer. The state of the photosynthetic pigments in living cells. Reaction centers. Inorganic models of reaction centers. Involvement in problems of the origin of life. Teaching at the Moscow University. Epilogue. References. Chapter 5. Efraim Racker: 28 June 1913 to 9 September 1991 (G. Schatz). Chapter 6. A Life with the Metals of Life (B.G. Malmstroem). Introduction: the shaping of a bioinorganic chemist. Early influences on my intellectual development. A gymnasium with a university curriculum. A book with a mission. From gymnasium to college studies in the United States. The graduate school years. The beginnings of research. Intellectual influences on a graduate student. Enzyme research in Uppsala. Metal-ion activation of enolase. Uppsala friends. Instructor in Minnesota. Teaching and research. A short army career. 'Docent' in Uppsala. The embryo of an enzyme group. An expanding research program. An interlude in Utah. The beginnings of oxidase research. The end of the Uppsala period. Visiting professor in California. A bioinorganic course. The transition from Uppsala to Goeteborg. Professor at Goeteborg University. A glimpse of the Swedish academic system of the 1960s. The building of a new department. A number of visitors. My research 1964-93. Laccase and other blue copper proteins. Three sabbaticals. Early cytochrome oxidase investigations. My collaboration with Harry Gray. Electron transfer and proton pumping. The CuA site. The Nobel Committee for Chemistry 1972-1988. The composition of the committee. Some small reforms. The happy life of a professor emeritus. Retirement. Mutants of bacterial cytochrome oxydases. CuA and PNA. Acknowledgements. References. Chapter 7. Harland Goff Wood: An American Biochemist (R. Singleton, Jr.). Introduction. Early years and education. Affiliation with C. H. Werkman at Iowa State. Graduate research. Postdoctoral work. The propionic acid cycle. Early studies on propionic acid metabolism. Expansion of the research project. Discovery of the transcarboxylation reaction. Isolation of the transcarboxylase enzyme. Completion of the propionic acid cycle. Conclusions. Coda. Acknowledgements. Appendix A: Fermentation balances. Chapter 8. Fate has Smiled Kindly (S.V. Perry). Early years. War service. Captivity. Halcyon days. Extramural activities. Post doctoral work in the United States. Return to Cambridge. Muscle organelles. Myofibrillar ATPase and its regulation. Protein components of the myofibril. The Cambridge contribution to protein structure. Kenneth Bailey. Move to Birmingham. Myosin structure and function. The interaction of actin and myosin. Biochemistry of muscle development and adaptation. Methylated muscle proteins. Troponin system. Consolidation in Birmingham. Components of the troponin complex. Calmodulin and calmodulin-binding proteins. Phosphorylation of the myofibrillar proteins. Muscular dystrophy. Tropomyosin. Isoforms and antibodies to the components of the troponin complex. The Italian connection. Committees and miscellaneous responsibilities. Retirement. Acknowledgements. References. Name Index.

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