Robert Bruce Merrifield - Biochemists, Life Achievements and Personal Life
Robert Bruce Merrifield's Personal Details
Robert Bruce Merrifield was an American biochemist who won the 1984 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | July 15, 1921 |
| Died on | May 14, 2006 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Scientists, Chemists, Biochemists |
| Spouses | Elizabeth Furlong |
| Childrens | Betsy, Cathy, Laurie, Nancy, Sally and James |
| Birth Place | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | George E. Merrifield |
| Mother | Lorene |
| Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Born in | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Famous as | Biochemist |
| Died at Age | 84 |
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Robert Bruce Merrifield's photo
Who is Robert Bruce Merrifield?
Robert Bruce Merrifield was an American biochemist who was awarded the 1984 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his development of methodology for chemical synthesis on a solid matrix. His ingenious discovery for quick protein synthesis aided in streamlining numerous scientific experiments. Interested in science as a child, he went on to take up a Bachelor degree in Chemistry and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of California at Los Angeles. He then joined the Rockfeller Institute for Medical Research and remained there in various posts throughout his career, eventually becoming the John D. Rockefeller professor in 1984. As a result of his research, he developed the solid phase peptide synthesis, a method that allowed the systematic study of protein structure. A few years later he also developed a machine for automation thereby simplifying and quickening the process. Other than the Nobel Prize, he was the recipient of prestigious awards as the Gairdner Foundation International Award, Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research and the Chemical Pioneer Award. He was inducted as a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1972. An author of several papers for numerous science journals, he had also published a semiautobiographical titled ‘Life during a Golden Age of Peptide Chemistry: the Concept and Development of Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis’.
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Childhood & Early Life
Robert Bruce Merrifield was born on 15 July 1921, at Fort Worth in Texas, USA, to George E. Merrifield and Lorene née Lucas. He was the only child of his parents.
In 1923, he along with family shifted to California. He graduated from Montebello High School in 1939. While at school he grew interested in astronomy and physics.
He later enrolled into Pasadena Junior College and at the end of two years, shifted to the University of California at Los Angeles. In 1943 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
He then spent a year working at the Philip R. Park Research Foundation, assisting in research experiments on the growth of synthetic amino acid diets and looking after an animal colony.
Understanding that education was necessary, he returned to the University of California at Los Angeles to pursue his graduate studies under professor of biochemistry M.S. Dunn. He completed his PhD in Biochemistry in 1949.
Career:
Immediately after completing his PhD, Robert Bruce Merrifield moved to New York City to join the Rockfeller Institute for Medical Research. There, he worked under biochemist Dr. D.W. Woolley. Together, they worked on peptide growth factors and dinucleotide growth factor that later led way to the need for peptide synthesis.
In 1957, he was appointed as teacher at the Department of Biochemistry at the Rockfeller Institute for Medical Research, a post he maintained until 1966, when he became Professor. He continued as Professor until 1984. The Institute was renamed as Rockfeller University in the mid-1960s.
In 1959, Robert Bruce Merrifield pioneered Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) which later went on to become a standard method for synthesizing peptides and proteins in the lab. A few years later, in 1963, he authored a paper on Solid-phase peptide synthesis in the journal of the American Chemical Society.
Understanding the benefit of a mechanized and automated peptide synthesis process, he designed the first prototype of an automated peptide synthesizer in 1965. In the mid-1960s, as a result of work at his laboratory, peptide bradykinin, protein angiotensin, desamino-oxytocin and hormone insulin were synthesized.
The first synthesis of enzyme ribonuclease A was revealed by him and his colleague Bernd Gutte in 1969. This discovery gained significance as it demonstrated how the primary structure of a protein determines its tertiary structure.
In 1969, he also started working as editor of the journal ‘International Journal of Peptide and Protein Research’ (later renamed Journal of Peptide Research).
In 1984, he was made the John D. Rockefeller Jr Professor at the Rockefeller University. During the last years of his career he also an adjunct professor at the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine.
In 1993, he published his semi-autobiography titled ‘Life during a Golden Age of Peptide Chemistry: the Concept and Development of Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis’.
Major Works
Robert Bruce Merrifield was a biochemist who was noted for his contribution related to synthesis of proteins and peptides from amino acids. He was known to have pioneered the ‘Solid-phase peptide synthesis’ methodology along with presenting the initial automated prototype for peptide synthesis. His studies made a direct impact on the progress of pharmacology, medicine and biochemistry thereby enabling the detailed understanding of the structure and functions of antibodies, hormones and enzymes.
Awards and Achievements
Robert Bruce Merrifield was the recipient of the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1969.
In 1970, he was awarded the Gairdner Foundation International Award. The same year he also received the Intra- Science Award.
He received the 1972 American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.
He was inducted into the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1972.
In 1973, he received the Nichols Medal.
He won the 1984 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for his development of methodology for chemical synthesis on a solid matrix".
Personal Life & Legacy
He married biologist, Elizabeth Furlong, in 1949 and the couple had six children; five daughters, namely, Nancy, Betsy, Cathy, Laurie and Sally and one son named James. He had sixteen grandchildren.
He died on 14 May 2006 after a long period of illness at his home in Cresskill, New Jersey.
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Robert Bruce Merrifield's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1984) | |
Robert Bruce Merrifield biography timelines
- // 15th Jul 1921Robert Bruce Merrifield was born on 15 July 1921, at Fort Worth in Texas, USA, to George E. Merrifield and Lorene née Lucas. He was the only child of his parents.
- // 1923 To 1939In 1923, he along with family shifted to California. He graduated from Montebello High School in 1939. While at school he grew interested in astronomy and physics.
- // 1943He later enrolled into Pasadena Junior College and at the end of two years, shifted to the University of California at Los Angeles. In 1943 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
- // 1949Understanding that education was necessary, he returned to the University of California at Los Angeles to pursue his graduate studies under professor of biochemistry M.S. Dunn. He completed his PhD in Biochemistry in 1949.
- // 1949He married biologist, Elizabeth Furlong, in 1949 and the couple had six children; five daughters, namely, Nancy, Betsy, Cathy, Laurie and Sally and one son named James. He had sixteen grandchildren.
- // 1957 To 1984In 1957, he was appointed as teacher at the Department of Biochemistry at the Rockfeller Institute for Medical Research, a post he maintained until 1966, when he became Professor. He continued as Professor until 1984. The Institute was renamed as Rockfeller University in the mid-1960s.
- // 1959 To 1963In 1959, Robert Bruce Merrifield pioneered Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) which later went on to become a standard method for synthesizing peptides and proteins in the lab. A few years later, in 1963, he authored a paper on Solid-phase peptide synthesis in the journal of the American Chemical Society.
- // 1965Understanding the benefit of a mechanized and automated peptide synthesis process, he designed the first prototype of an automated peptide synthesizer in 1965. In the mid-1960s, as a result of work at his laboratory, peptide bradykinin, protein angiotensin, desamino-oxytocin and hormone insulin were synthesized.
- // 1969The first synthesis of enzyme ribonuclease A was revealed by him and his colleague Bernd Gutte in 1969. This discovery gained significance as it demonstrated how the primary structure of a protein determines its tertiary structure.
- // 1969In 1969, he also started working as editor of the journal ‘International Journal of Peptide and Protein Research’ (later renamed Journal of Peptide Research).
- // 1969Robert Bruce Merrifield was the recipient of the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1969.
- // 1970In 1970, he was awarded the Gairdner Foundation International Award. The same year he also received the Intra- Science Award.
- // 1972He received the 1972 American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.
- // 1972He was inducted into the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1972.
- // 1973In 1973, he received the Nichols Medal.
- // 1984In 1984, he was made the John D. Rockefeller Jr Professor at the Rockefeller University. During the last years of his career he also an adjunct professor at the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine.
- // 1984He won the 1984 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for his development of methodology for chemical synthesis on a solid matrix".
- // 1993In 1993, he published his semi-autobiography titled ‘Life during a Golden Age of Peptide Chemistry: the Concept and Development of Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis’.
- // 14th May 2006He died on 14 May 2006 after a long period of illness at his home in Cresskill, New Jersey.
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Robert Bruce Merrifield's FAQ
What is Robert Bruce Merrifield birthday?
Robert Bruce Merrifield was born at 1921-07-15
When was Robert Bruce Merrifield died?
Robert Bruce Merrifield was died at 2006-05-14
Where was Robert Bruce Merrifield died?
Robert Bruce Merrifield was died in Cresskill, New Jersey
Which age was Robert Bruce Merrifield died?
Robert Bruce Merrifield was died at age 84
Where is Robert Bruce Merrifield's birth place?
Robert Bruce Merrifield was born in Fort Worth, Texas
What is Robert Bruce Merrifield nationalities?
Robert Bruce Merrifield's nationalities is American
Who is Robert Bruce Merrifield spouses?
Robert Bruce Merrifield's spouses is Elizabeth Furlong
Who is Robert Bruce Merrifield childrens?
Robert Bruce Merrifield's childrens is Betsy, Cathy, Laurie, Nancy, Sally and James
Who is Robert Bruce Merrifield's father?
Robert Bruce Merrifield's father is George E. Merrifield
Who is Robert Bruce Merrifield's mother?
Robert Bruce Merrifield's mother is Lorene
What is Robert Bruce Merrifield's sun sign?
Robert Bruce Merrifield is Cancer
How famous is Robert Bruce Merrifield?
Robert Bruce Merrifield is famouse as Biochemist