Peter Dervan
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Peter B. Dervan | |
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Dervan in 2017 | |
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Boston College Yale University |
Spouse | Jacqueline Barton |
Awards |
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Scientific career | |
Fields | Organic chemistry |
Institutions | Yale,Stanford,Caltech |
Thesis | The stereochemistry of the thermal rearrangements of trans- and cis-1,2-dialkenylcyclobutanes(1973) |
Doctoral advisor | Jerome A. Berson |
Doctoral students | |
Other notable students | Post-docs: |
External videos | |
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Peter B. Dervan(born June 28, 1945) is the Bren Professor ofChemistryat theCalifornia Institute of Technology.The primary focus of his research is the development and study of small organic molecules that can sequence-specifically recognizeDNA,[1]a field in which he is an internationally recognized authority.[2]The most important of these small molecules arepyrrole–imidazole polyamides.[3] Dervan is credited with influencing "the course of research in organic chemistry through his studies at the interface of chemistry and biology" as a result of his work on "the chemical principles involved in sequence-specific recognition of double helical DNA".[4] He is the recipient of many awards, including theNational Medal of Science(2006).[5][6]
Early life and education
[edit]Peter B. Dervan was born on June 28, 1945, in Boston, Massachusetts, in an Irish immigrant family. He grew up in a family of six inDorchester,a working-class suburb of Boston.[7]Dervan attendedBoston College High Schooland received his B.S. degree fromBoston Collegein 1967,[7][8]where professor Francis Bennett sparked his interest in organic chemistry.[5]He began graduate studies at theUniversity of Wisconsinthen moved withJerome A. Berson's research group toYale Universitywhere he completed his graduate research in physical organic chemistry,[9]studying ways in which chemical bonds are created and broken apart.[5]He received hisPh.D.degree fromYale Universityin 1972, forThe Stereochemistry of the Thermal Rearrangements of Trans-1,2-Dialkenylcyclobutanes and Cis-1,2-Dialkenylcyclobutanes.[10][11]He then became an NIH postdoctoral fellow atStanford,working withEugene van Tamelen.[8]
Career
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Peter_Dervan_1986.png/220px-Peter_Dervan_1986.png)
Dervan became an assistant professor of chemistry atCaltechin 1973,[8]joiningJohn D. Roberts,Robert G. Bergmanand Robert Ellsworth Ireland in the organic chemistry group.[3]He became an associate professor in 1979, and professor in 1982. He was appointed as the first Bren Professor ofChemistryin 1988.[12][8]He served as Chair of Caltech's Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from 1994 to 1999.[13]Dervan has published more than 360 papers and taught hundreds of students.[9]
Dervan is a member of theNational Academy of Sciences(1986),[14] theAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences(1987),[15]and theAmerican Philosophical Society(2002).[16] He is an elected member of theFrench Academy of Sciences(2000)[17] and theDeutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina(2004- ).[18]
Dervan is a co-founder and founding member of the Scientific Advisory Board forGilead Sciences(1987).[19][20][21][22]He served on the Board of Directors forBeckman Coulterbeginning in 1997.[23]He served as a Trustee of Yale University (2008-2017).[13][9]He served as a member of the Board of Scientific Governors of TheScripps Research Institute.[24]In 2014, he presented theACS Chemical BiologyLecture.[25]As of 2016[update]he became chair of the scientific advisory board of theRobert A. Welch Foundation.[26]
Research
[edit]While teaching a class at Caltech in Advanced Organic Chemistry, Dervan came to a realization that would guide his future career: rather than working to "close" a classic problem that had been previously defined, he would seek to define and "open" a new research area that could be studied for many years.[3] The problem he chose was molecular recognition in biological systems.[5]At the time, DNA sequencing was in its infancy and the human genome project was undreamt of. Dervan chose to apply ideas from synthetic chemistry to biology and the study of DNA, creating novel binding molecules to be used for DNA recognition.[3]
"I would study weak noncovalent bonds in the most challenging of solvents, water. Therefore, the ‘synthetic objective’ would be the three-dimensional assembly of multiple specific noncovalent bonds in aqueous media. Biological molecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids, would be my target and small molecule synthesis combined with physical characterization and the methods of biology would provide the experimental foundation. I would move from the gas phase world of hydrocarbon rearrangements to the aqueous world of nucleic acids and molecular recognition."[3]
By studying weak intermolecular interactions and creating novel synthetic molecules specific to particular DNA sequences, Dervan has been able to explore the complex biological systems underlying DNA's structure and function.[9]A human cell contains approximately 20,000 genes, whose expression is controlled by the binding of protein transcription factors in the promoter region of each gene.[3]Through pioneering work in DNA recognition,[9]Dervan has determined many of the chemical principles underlying sequence-specific recognition of DNA,[3]and enabled researchers to better understand the mechanism of action of many anti-tumor, anti-viral and anti-biotic drugs.[12]
Dervan determined that small molecules could be synthesized and used to selectively bind DNA at the transcription factor/DNA interface, effectively rewriting the biological codes controlling transcription by acting on the promoters of selected genes.[5] The creation of synthetic small molecules with affinities and sequence specificities for predetermined DNA sequences makes it possible to design cell-permeable molecules for the regulation of gene expression.[8] The use of small molecules to regulate gene expression in living cells has possible application to human medicine.[3][27]
The most important of these small molecules are pyrrole–imidazole polyamides.[27][28]Dervan's lab has identified pairing rules to control the DNA sequence specificity of minor-groove binding polyamides that contain the aromatic ring amino acids hydroxypyrrole (Hp), imidazole (Im), and pyrrole (Py).[29][27][30]
Awards
[edit]Dervan has received a number of awards for both research and teaching,[8]including those listed below. He was awarded the 2006National Medal of Sciencein 2007 from President George Bush at the White House for “his fundamental research contributions at the interface of organic chemistry and biology” as well as contributions to education and industry.[6][31][5]A minor planet has been named in his honor,4314 Dervan.[32]
- 1988 - Harrison Howe Award[33]
- 1993 -Arthur C. Cope Award[34]
- 1993 -Willard Gibbs Award[35]
- 1994 -William H. Nichols Medal,for "his outstanding contributions in the field of bioorganic chemistry through the design and synthesis of sequence-specific DNA cleaving molecules."[36]
- 1996 - Maison de la Chimie Foundation Prize[4]
- 1998 -Remsen Award[37][38]
- 1998 - Kirkwood Medal, for “outstanding research contributions, theoretical or experimental, in the physical sciences.”[13]
- 1999 - Alfred Bader Award[39]
- 1999 - Max Tishler Prize[40]
- 1999 -Linus Pauling Award[41]
- 1999 -Richard C. Tolman Medal[42]
- 2000 -Tetrahedron Prize[3]
- 2002 -Harvey Prize(Israel)[43]
- 2005 - Ronald Breslow Award[44]
- 2005 -Wilbur Cross Medal[45]
- 2006 -National Medal of Science[5][6]
- 2009 - Frank Westheimer Prize[46]
- 2022 -Priestley Medal[47][48]
Personal
[edit]In 1990, Dervan marriedJacqueline Barton,a fellow chemist and professor atCaltech.He has a son, Andrew, from a previous marriage, and a daughter, Elizabeth, from his marriage with Barton.[49][13]All four hold degrees from Yale University.[9]
Selected publications
[edit]- Nickols, N. G.; Dervan, P. B. (2007)."Suppression of Androgen Receptor Mediated Gene Expression by a Sequence-Specific DNA Binding Polyamide".Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA.104(25): 10418–10423.Bibcode:2007PNAS..10410418N.doi:10.1073/pnas.0704217104.PMC1965528.PMID17566103.
- Yang, F.; Nickols, N. G.; Li, B. C.; Marinov, G. K.; Said, J. W.; Dervan, P. B. (2013)."Antitumor Activity of a Pyrrole-imidazole Polyamide"(PDF).Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA.110(5): 1863–1868.Bibcode:2013PNAS..110.1863Y.doi:10.1073/pnas.1222035110.PMC3562772.PMID23319609.
References
[edit]- ^Dervan1986, P.B. (1986). "Design of sequence-specific-DNA-binding molecules".Science.232(4749): 464–471.Bibcode:1986Sci...232..464D.doi:10.1126/science.2421408.PMID2421408.
{{cite journal}}
:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^"Caltech Chemist Peter Dervan to Deliver Lecture".Southwestern Newsroom.Retrieved15 June2017.
"Professor Dervan is an internationally renowned chemist and recognized pioneer in chemical biology."
- ^abcdefghiDervan, Peter B. (2001)."Molecular Recognition of DNA by Small Molecules (personal essay in acceptance of the Tetrahedron Prize)"(PDF).Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry.9(9): 2215–2235.doi:10.1016/s0968-0896(01)00262-0.PMID11553460.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^abAvery, John (March 29, 1996)."Chemist Wins 1996 Grand Prize from la Maison de la Chimie".Caltech News.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^abcdefgMantell, Suzanne."A day at the races".Boston College Magazine.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^abc"2006 National Medal of Science Winners".United States Government.Retrieved2009-02-08.
- ^abDervan, Peter B. (March 20, 2022)."Priestley Medal address 2022: Skydiving into the interface of chemistry and biology".Chemical & Engineering News.Vol. 100, no. 10.Retrieved4 April2023.
- ^abcdef"Carl Shipp Marvel Lecturer 2002-03 - Peter B. Dervan".The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^abcdefWohl, Shirlee (November 16, 2011)."Peter Dervan, GRD '72".Yale Scientific.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Peter B. Dervan".Chemistry Tree.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^Dervan, Peter Brendan (1973).The stereochemistry of the thermal rearrangements of trans- and cis-1,2-dialkenylcyclobutanes(Ph.D. thesis).Yale University.OCLC418780449.ProQuest47891156.
- ^ab"For Your Information".Analytical Chemistry.60(6): 379A. 30 May 2012.doi:10.1021/ac00157a715.
- ^abcd"Pioneering Organic Chemist Elected to Yale Board of Trustees".Yale News.June 4, 2008.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Chemists elected to National Academy of Sciences".Chemical & Engineering News.64(18): 6. 5 May 1986.doi:10.1021/cen-v064n018.p006a.
- ^"NEWS".Analytical Chemistry.60(18): 1029A. September 1988.doi:10.1021/ac00169a711.
- ^"Peter B. Dervan".American Philosophical Society.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Peter Dervan".Institute de France Académie des Sciences.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^Schnitzer-Ungefug, Jutta (December 8, 2004)."Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina wählt neue Mitglieder Prof".Informationsdienst Wissenschaft.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^Jones, Stephanie (1992).The biotechnologists and the evolution of biotech enterprises in the USA and Europe.Basingstoke: Macmillan. p. 39.ISBN978-0333550212.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^Patrick, Margaret (August 19, 2015)."Gilead Sciences: Investor's Overview of a Leading Biotech Company".Market Realist.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"gilead sciences inc (GILD:NASDAQ GS)".Bloomberg.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"10-K405 GILEAD SCIENCES INC filed this Form 10-K405 on 03/31/1998".Investors - Gilead Sciences, Inc.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"DEF 14A 1 ddef14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT FOR BECKMAN COULTER, INC".UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Board of Scientific Governors".The Scripps Research Institute.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"ACS Chemical Biology Lecture"(PDF).Division of Biological Chemistry.Retrieved2014-01-15.
- ^"Peter B. Dervan"(PDF).Robert A. Welch Foundation.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^abcDervan, Peter B; Edelson, Benjamin S (June 2003). "Recognition of the DNA minor groove by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides".Current Opinion in Structural Biology.13(3): 284–299.doi:10.1016/S0959-440X(03)00081-2.PMID12831879.
- ^Dervan, PB; Edelson, BS (June 2003). "Recognition of the DNA minor groove by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides".Current Opinion in Structural Biology.13(3): 284–99.doi:10.1016/s0959-440x(03)00081-2.PMID12831879.
- ^Swalley, Susanne E.; Baird, Eldon E.; Dervan, Peter B. (October 1997). "A Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamide Motif for Recognition of Eleven Base Pair Sequences in the Minor Groove of DNA".Chemistry - A European Journal.3(10): 1600–1607.doi:10.1002/chem.19970031009.
- ^White, Sarah; Baird, Eldon E.; Dervan, Peter B. (August 1997)."On the pairing rules for recognition in the minor groove of DNA by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides".Chemistry & Biology.4(8): 569–578.doi:10.1016/S1074-5521(97)90243-X.PMID9281524.
- ^National Science Foundation - The President's National Medal of Science
- ^Schmadel, Lutz (2014).Dictionary of Minor Planet Names: Addendum to 6th Edition: 2012-2014.New York: Springer. p. 48.ISBN9783319176772.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Past Recipients of the Harrison Howe Award".Rocherster Section ACS.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Arthur C. Cope Award".American Chemical Society.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"The Willard Gibbs Meda"(PDF).American Chemical Society.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"AWARDS".Chemical & Engineering News.72(13): 48. 28 March 1994.doi:10.1021/cen-v072n013.p048.
- ^"Remsen Award".American Chemistry Society.Archived fromthe originalon 8 March 2015.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"1998 Remsen Award"(PDF).The Chesapeake Chemist.LIV(5): 1, 4. 1998.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Alfred Bader Award in Bioinorganic or Bioorganic Chemistry".American Chemical Society.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Max Tishler Prize Lecturers".Harvard University.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"The Pauling Medal Awardees".The Pauling Blog.April 27, 2016.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Tolman Award".SCALACS.2006-01-10.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Prize Winners".Harvey Prize.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Ronald Breslow Award for Achievement in Biomimetic Chemistry".American Chemical Society.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Medalists by Year".Yale Alumni Association.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^"Frank H. Westheimer Prize Lecturers".Harvard University.Retrieved14 June2017.
- ^Priestley Medal 2022
- ^Arnaud, Celia Henry (March 20, 2022)."2022 Priestley Medalist Peter B. Dervan pioneered treating DNA as an organic molecule".Chemical & Engineering News.100(10).
- ^"Meet Jacqueline K. Barton, 2015 Priestley Medalist".Chemical & Engineering News.93(12). Mar 23, 2015.Retrieved2 April2015.
External links
[edit]- 1945 births
- Living people
- American organic chemists
- 21st-century American chemists
- Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences
- Gilead Sciences people
- National Medal of Science laureates
- Members of the French Academy of Sciences
- California Institute of Technology faculty
- Boston College alumni
- University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni
- Yale University alumni
- Members of the National Academy of Medicine