American biochemist (1926–2023)
Paul Berg
Berg in 1980
Born (1926-06-30 ) June 30, 1926New York City, U.S.
Died February 15, 2023(2023-02-15) (aged 96) Education Known for Recombinant DNA Spouse Children 1[ 3] Awards Scientific career Fields Biochemistry Institutions
Paul Berg (June 30, 1926 – February 15, 2023) was an Americanbiochemist and professor atStanford University .
He was the recipient of theNobel Prize in Chemistry in 1980, along withWalter Gilbert andFrederick Sanger . The award recognized their contributions to basic research involvingnucleic acids , especiallyrecombinant DNA .
Berg received his undergraduate education atPenn State University , where he majored inbiochemistry . He received his PhD in biochemistry fromCase Western Reserve University in 1952. Berg worked as a professor atWashington University School of Medicine andStanford University School of Medicine , in addition to serving as the director of theBeckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine .
In addition to the Nobel Prize, Berg was presented with theNational Medal of Science in 1983 and the National Library of Medicine Medal in 1986. Berg was a member of the Board of Sponsors for theBulletin of the Atomic Scientists [ 4]
Early life and education [ edit ] Berg was born inBrooklyn , New York City. He was the son of aRussian Jewish immigrant couple,[ 5] [ 6] Abraham Lincoln High School in 1943,[ 7] Penn State University in 1948 and PhD in biochemistry fromCase Western Reserve University in 1952. He was a member of theJewish fraternity ,ΒΣΡ .[ 8]
Research and career [ edit ] After completing his graduate studies, Berg spent two years (1952–1954) as apostdoctoral fellow with theAmerican Cancer Society , working at the Institute of Cytophysiology inCopenhagen , Denmark, and theWashington University School of Medicine , and spent additional time in 1954 as a scholar in cancer research with the department of microbiology at the Washington University School of Medicine.[ 9] Arthur Kornberg , while at Washington University.[ 6] Clare Hall, Cambridge .[ 2] [ 10] Washington University School of Medicine from 1955 until 1959. After 1959, Berg moved toStanford University , where he taught biochemistry from 1959 until 2000 and served as director of theBeckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine from 1985 until 2000.[ 9] [ 11]
Berg's postgraduate studies involved the use of radioisotope tracers to studyintermediary metabolism . This resulted in the understanding of how foodstuffs are converted to cellular materials, through the use of isotopic carbons or heavy nitrogen atoms. Paul Berg's doctorate paper is now known as the conversion offormic acid ,formaldehyde andmethanol to fully reduced states of methyl groups inmethionine . He was also one of the first to demonstrate that folic acid and B12 cofactors had roles in the processes mentioned.
Berg is arguably most famous for his pioneering work involving gene splicing ofrecombinant DNA .[ 12] genetic engineering . After developing the technique, Berg used it for his studies of viral chromosomes.[ 13]
Berg was aprofessor emeritus at Stanford.[ 9] George Beadle .[ 14]
Berg was a member of the Board of Sponsors of theBulletin of the Atomic Scientists [ 4] Asilomar conference on recombinant DNA in 1975. The previous year, Berg and other scientists had called for a voluntarymoratorium on certainrecombinant DNA research until they could evaluate the risks. That influential conference did evaluate the potential hazards and set guidelines forbiotechnology research. It can be seen as an early application of theprecautionary principle .
Queen Beatrix meets Nobel laureates in 1983, Mildred Levy and Paul Berg are second couple from the leftBerg was awarded one-half of the 1980Nobel Prize in Chemistry , with the other half being shared byWalter Gilbert andFrederick Sanger .[ 9] [ 15] [ 16] nucleic acids , with particular regard torecombinant DNA ", while Sanger and Gilbert were honored for "their contributions concerning the determination of base sequences in nucleic acids."[ 17]
Other awards and honors [ edit ] He was elected a Fellow of theAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the United StatesNational Academy of Sciences in 1966.[ 18] [ 19] Ronald Reagan presented Berg with theNational Medal of Science . That same year, he was elected to theAmerican Philosophical Society .[ 20] American Academy of Achievement .[ 21] Foreign Member of the Royal Society (ForMemRS) in 1992 .[ 22] Biotechnology Heritage Award by theBiotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and theChemical Heritage Foundation .[ 23] [ 24] Wonderfest 's Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization.[ 25]
Berg died on February 15, 2023, at the age of 96.[ 5] [ 26]
^ "Paul Berg + Stanford Biochemistry Department" .berg-emeritusprofessor.stanford.edu .Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. RetrievedMay 4, 2018 .^a b "Research Focus – Clare Hall" . University of Cambridge.Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. RetrievedMay 4, 2018 .^ Oakes, Elizabeth H. (2007).Encyclopedia of World Scientists ISBN 978-1438118826 ^a b "Guide to the Paul Berg Papers" .oac.cdlib.org .Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. RetrievedMay 4, 2018 .^a b Moskal, Emily (February 21, 2023)."Nobel Prize winner and recombinant DNA pioneer Paul Berg dies" .Stanford University School of Medicine . RetrievedFebruary 18, 2023 . ^a b "HowStuffWorks 'Paul Berg' .Science.howstuffworks.com . October 21, 2008. Archived fromthe original on May 20, 2016. RetrievedApril 3, 2014 .^ Hargittai, I. (2002).The Road to Stockholm: Nobel Prizes, Science, and Scientists ISBN 978-0-19-850912-7 . RetrievedApril 21, 2022 .Arthur Kornberg (M59), Jerome Karle (C85), and Paul Berg (C80) all went to the Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn. ^ About – Beta Sigma Beta at Penn State , retrievedFebruary 24, 2023 ^a b c d "Curriculum Vitae - Paul Berg" . Nobel Foundation. February 7, 2005. Archived fromthe original on February 7, 2005. RetrievedApril 21, 2022 .^ Singer, Maxine; Berg, Pam (1990).Genes and genomes ISBN 0935702172 ^ Carey, Jr., Charles W. (2006).American scientists ISBN 978-0816054992 ^ "Paul Berg" .Science History Institute .Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. RetrievedMay 5, 2016 .^ "Award Ceremony Speech" . The Nobel Foundation.Archived from the original on January 23, 2011. RetrievedMarch 25, 2011 .^ "CAP – Paul Berg" .Stanford University .Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. RetrievedMarch 25, 2011 .^ "Autobiography - Paul Berg" . Nobel Foundation. March 4, 2006. Archived fromthe original on March 4, 2006. RetrievedApril 21, 2022 .^ Berg interview Archived April 18, 2005, at theWayback Machine from the Nobel Prize website^ "The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1980" . The Nobel Foundation.Archived from the original on March 5, 2011. RetrievedMarch 25, 2011 .^ "Book of Members, 1780–2010: Chapter B" (PDF) . American Academy of Arts and Sciences.Archived (PDF) from the original on July 25, 2011. RetrievedJune 16, 2011 .^ "Paul Berg" .nasonline.org . RetrievedMay 31, 2022 .^ "APS Member History" .search.amphilsoc.org . RetrievedMay 31, 2022 .^ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement" .achievement.org .American Academy of Achievement .^ "Professor Paul Berg ForMemRS" . London:Royal Society . Archived fromthe original on November 12, 2015.^ "Biotechnology Heritage Award" .Science History Institute Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. RetrievedFebruary 21, 2018 .^ Gussman, Neil (April 13, 2005)."Paul Berg to Receive 2005 Biotechnology Heritage Award" . PR Newswire.Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2014 . ^ "Sagan Prize Recipients" .wonderfest.org . 2011.Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. RetrievedSeptember 10, 2011 .^ "Paul Berg, pioneer in gene splicing who led way for biotech, dies at 96" .The Washington Post .ISSN 0190-8286 . RetrievedFebruary 20, 2023 .Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Paul Berg .
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