Peter Dervan Explained

Peter B. Dervan
Birth Date:1945 6, mf=yes
Birth Place:Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality:American
Field:Organic chemistry
Alma Mater:Boston College
Yale University
Work Institution:Yale, Stanford, Caltech
Thesis Title:The stereochemistry of the thermal rearrangements of trans- and cis-1,2-dialkenylcyclobutanes
Thesis Url:https://search.proquest.com/docview/47891156/
Thesis Year:1973
Doctoral Advisor:Jerome A. Berson
Doctoral Students:
Notable Students:Post-docs:
Prizes:
Spouse:Jacqueline Barton

Peter B. Dervan (born June 28, 1945) is the Bren Professor of Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. The primary focus of his research is the development and study of small organic molecules that can sequence-specifically recognize DNA,[1] a field in which he is an internationally recognized authority.[2] The most important of these small molecules are pyrrole–imidazole polyamides.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".He is the recipient of many awards, including the National Medal of Science (2006).

Early life and education

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 in Dorchester, a working-class suburb of Boston.[3] Dervan attended Boston College High School and received his B.S. degree from Boston College in 1967,[3] where professor Francis Bennett sparked his interest in organic chemistry. He began graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin then moved with Jerome A. Berson's research group to Yale University where he completed his graduate research in physical organic chemistry, studying ways in which chemical bonds are created and broken apart. He received his Ph.D. degree from Yale University in 1972, for The Stereochemistry of the Thermal Rearrangements of Trans-1,2-Dialkenylcyclobutanes and Cis-1,2-Dialkenylcyclobutanes.[4] [5] He then became an NIH postdoctoral fellow at Stanford, working with Eugene van Tamelen.[6]

Career

Dervan became an assistant professor of chemistry at Caltech in 1973,[6] joining John D. Roberts, Robert G. Bergman and Robert Ellsworth Ireland in the organic chemistry group. He became an associate professor in 1979, and professor in 1982. He was appointed as the first Bren Professor of Chemistry in 1988.[7] [6] He served as Chair of Caltech's Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from 1994 to 1999. Dervan has published more than 360 papers and taught hundreds of students.

Dervan is a member of the National Academy of Sciences (1986),[8] the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1987),[9] and the American Philosophical Society (2002).[10] He is an elected member of the French Academy of Sciences (2000)[11] and the Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina (2004-).[12]

Dervan is a co-founder and founding member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Gilead Sciences (1987).[13] [14] [15] [16] He served on the Board of Directors for Beckman Coulter beginning in 1997.[17] He served as a Trustee of Yale University (2008-2017). He served as a member of the Board of Scientific Governors of The Scripps Research Institute.[18] In 2014, he presented the ACS Chemical Biology Lecture.[19] he became chair of the scientific advisory board of the Robert A. Welch Foundation.[20]

Research

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. The problem he chose was molecular recognition in biological systems. 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.

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. 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. Through pioneering work in DNA recognition, Dervan has determined many of the chemical principles underlying sequence-specific recognition of DNA, and enabled researchers to better understand the mechanism of action of many anti-tumor, anti-viral and anti-biotic drugs.[7]

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. 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.[6] The use of small molecules to regulate gene expression in living cells has possible application to human medicine.[21]

The most important of these small molecules are pyrrole–imidazole polyamides.[21] [22] 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).[23] [21] [24]

Awards

Dervan has received a number of awards for both research and teaching,[6] including those listed below. He was awarded the 2006 National Medal of Science in 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.[25] [26] [27] A minor planet has been named in his honor, 4314 Dervan.[28]

Personal

In 1990, Dervan married Jacqueline Barton, a fellow chemist and professor at Caltech. He has a son, Andrew, from a previous marriage, and a daughter, Elizabeth, from his marriage with Barton.[48] [36] All four hold degrees from Yale University.[49]

Selected publications

External links

Notes and References

  1. Dervan1986. P.B.. Design of sequence-specific-DNA-binding molecules. Science. 1986. 232. 4749. 464–471. 2421408. 10.1126/science.2421408. 1986Sci...232..464D.
  2. News: Caltech Chemist Peter Dervan to Deliver Lecture. 15 June 2017. Southwestern Newsroom. “Professor Dervan is an internationally renowned chemist and recognized pioneer in chemical biology.".
  3. Dervan . Peter B. . Priestley Medal address 2022: Skydiving into the interface of chemistry and biology . . March 20, 2022 . 100 . 10 . 4 April 2023.
  4. Web site: Peter B. Dervan. Chemistry Tree. 14 June 2017.
  5. The stereochemistry of the thermal rearrangements of trans- and cis-1,2-dialkenylcyclobutanes . 1973 . . Ph.D. . Dervan . Peter Brendan . 418780449 . .
  6. Web site: Carl Shipp Marvel Lecturer 2002-03 - Peter B. Dervan. The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois. 14 June 2017.
  7. For Your Information. Analytical Chemistry. 30 May 2012. 60. 6. 379A. 10.1021/ac00157a715.
  8. Chemists elected to National Academy of Sciences. Chemical & Engineering News. 5 May 1986. 64. 18. 6. 10.1021/cen-v064n018.p006a.
  9. NEWS. Analytical Chemistry. September 1988. 60. 18. 1029A. 10.1021/ac00169a711.
  10. Web site: Peter B. Dervan. American Philosophical Society. 14 June 2017.
  11. Web site: Peter Dervan. Institute de France Académie des Sciences. 14 June 2017.
  12. News: Schnitzer-Ungefug. Jutta. Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina wählt neue Mitglieder Prof. 14 June 2017. Informationsdienst Wissenschaft. December 8, 2004.
  13. Book: Jones. Stephanie. The biotechnologists and the evolution of biotech enterprises in the USA and Europe. 1992. Macmillan. Basingstoke. 978-0333550212. 39. 14 June 2017.
  14. News: Patrick. Margaret. Gilead Sciences: Investor's Overview of a Leading Biotech Company. 14 June 2017. Market Realist. August 19, 2015.
  15. Web site: gilead sciences inc (GILD:NASDAQ GS). Bloomberg. 14 June 2017.
  16. Web site: 10-K405 GILEAD SCIENCES INC filed this Form 10-K405 on 03/31/1998. Investors - Gilead Sciences, Inc.. 14 June 2017.
  17. Web site: DEF 14A 1 ddef14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT FOR BECKMAN COULTER, INC.. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. 14 June 2017.
  18. Web site: Board of Scientific Governors. The Scripps Research Institute. 14 June 2017.
  19. Web site: ACS Chemical Biology Lecture . 2014-01-15 . Division of Biological Chemistry .
  20. Web site: Peter B. Dervan. Robert A. Welch Foundation. 14 June 2017.
  21. Dervan. Peter B. Edelson. Benjamin S. Recognition of the DNA minor groove by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides. Current Opinion in Structural Biology. June 2003. 13. 3. 284–299. 10.1016/S0959-440X(03)00081-2. 12831879.
  22. Dervan. PB. Edelson. BS. Recognition of the DNA minor groove by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides.. Current Opinion in Structural Biology. June 2003. 13. 3. 284–99. 12831879. 10.1016/s0959-440x(03)00081-2.
  23. Swalley. Susanne E.. Baird. Eldon E.. Dervan. Peter B.. A Pyrrole-Imidazole Polyamide Motif for Recognition of Eleven Base Pair Sequences in the Minor Groove of DNA. Chemistry - A European Journal. October 1997. 3. 10. 1600–1607. 10.1002/chem.19970031009.
  24. White. Sarah. Baird. Eldon E.. Dervan. Peter B.. On the pairing rules for recognition in the minor groove of DNA by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides. Chemistry & Biology. August 1997. 4. 8. 569–578. 10.1016/S1074-5521(97)90243-X. 9281524. free.
  25. Web site: 2006 National Medal of Science Winners . 2009-02-08 . United States Government .
  26. https://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recip_details.cfm?recip_id=5300000000437 National Science Foundation - The President's National Medal of Science
  27. News: Mantell. Suzanne. A day at the races. 14 June 2017. Boston College Magazine.
  28. Book: Schmadel. Lutz. Dictionary of Minor Planet Names: Addendum to 6th Edition: 2012-2014. 2014. Springer. New York. 48. 14 June 2017. 9783319176772.
  29. Web site: Past Recipients of the Harrison Howe Award. Rocherster Section ACS. 14 June 2017.
  30. Web site: Arthur C. Cope Award. American Chemical Society. 14 June 2017.
  31. Web site: The Willard Gibbs Meda. American Chemical Society. 14 June 2017.
  32. AWARDS. Chemical & Engineering News. 28 March 1994. 72. 13. 48. 10.1021/cen-v072n013.p048. free.
  33. News: Avery. John. Chemist Wins 1996 Grand Prize from la Maison de la Chimie. 14 June 2017. Caltech News. March 29, 1996.
  34. Web site: Remsen Award. American Chemistry Society. 14 June 2017. 8 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150308042812/http://maryland.sites.acs.org/remsenaward.htm. dead.
  35. 1998 Remsen Award. 14 June 2017. The Chesapeake Chemist. LIV. 5. 1998. 1, 4.
  36. News: Pioneering Organic Chemist Elected to Yale Board of Trustees. 14 June 2017. Yale News. June 4, 2008.
  37. Web site: Alfred Bader Award in Bioinorganic or Bioorganic Chemistry. American Chemical Society. 14 June 2017.
  38. Web site: Max Tishler Prize Lecturers. Harvard University. 14 June 2017.
  39. Web site: The Pauling Medal Awardees. The Pauling Blog. April 27, 2016. 14 June 2017.
  40. Web site: Tolman Award. SCALACS. 14 June 2017. 2006-01-10.
  41. Dervan. Peter B.. Molecular Recognition of DNA by Small Molecules (personal essay in acceptance of the Tetrahedron Prize). Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. 2001. 9. 9. 2215–2235. 14 June 2017. 10.1016/s0968-0896(01)00262-0. 11553460.
  42. Web site: Prize Winners. Harvey Prize. 14 June 2017.
  43. Web site: Ronald Breslow Award for Achievement in Biomimetic Chemistry. American Chemical Society. 14 June 2017.
  44. Web site: Medalists by Year. Yale Alumni Association. 14 June 2017.
  45. Web site: Frank H. Westheimer Prize Lecturers. Harvard University. 14 June 2017.
  46. https://cen.acs.org/people/awards/Peter-Dervan-named-2022-Priestley/99/i24?ref=search_results Priestley Medal 2022
  47. 2022 Priestley Medalist Peter B. Dervan pioneered treating DNA as an organic molecule . Celia Henry . Arnaud . March 20, 2022 . 100 . 10 . Chemical & Engineering News.
  48. Meet Jacqueline K. Barton, 2015 Priestley Medalist. Chemical & Engineering News. Mar 23, 2015. 93. 12. 2 April 2015.
  49. News: Wohl. Shirlee. Peter Dervan, GRD '72. 14 June 2017. Yale Scientific. November 16, 2011.

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