Stanley Cohen (biochemist)

Stanley Cohen-Biochemist

Stanley Cohen (November 17, 1922 – February 5, 2020) was an American biochemist and Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, awarded in 1986 for his discovery of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor. His groundbreaking work, conducted alongside Rita Levi-Montalcini, has had profound implications for the study of cell growth, development, and cancer research.

Early Life and Education

Stanley Cohen was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Russia. He developed an interest in biology at a young age. Cohen attended Brooklyn College, where he earned his B.A. in biochemistry in 1943. He then served as a chemist in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he pursued graduate studies at Oberlin College, receiving his M.A. in zoology in 1948. Cohen completed his Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Michigan in 1952, where his research focused on the enzymology of bacterial spores.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Cohen joined the faculty at the University of Colorado, where he began his research on nerve growth factors. This work led him to collaborate with Rita Levi-Montalcini, who had discovered the nerve growth factor (NGF). Together, they isolated and characterized NGF, a milestone in neuroscience that would eventually lead to Cohen's discovery of EGF.

In 1959, Cohen moved to Vanderbilt University, where he continued his research on growth factors. It was here that he discovered and isolated epidermal growth factor, a protein that stimulates cell growth and differentiation. Cohen's work elucidated the mechanism of action of EGF and its receptor, revealing a critical pathway by which cells communicate and regulate their growth and development. This discovery was pivotal in the understanding of how cells respond to external signals and has had significant implications for cancer research, leading to the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting growth factor pathways.

Awards and Honors

Stanley Cohen's contributions to science have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including:

• The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986, shared with Rita Levi-Montalcini
• The National Medal of Science in 1986
• Election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Legacy

Stanley Cohen's work on growth factors has laid the foundation for much of the modern research in cell biology and oncology. His discoveries have not only advanced our understanding of cellular processes but have also led to the development of new drugs and therapies for treating cancer and other diseases. Cohen's legacy is evident in the countless lives that have been improved through the medical applications of his research.

Death

Stanley Cohen passed away on February 5, 2020, at the age of 97. His death marked the loss of one of the most influential figures in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.

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