Timothy A. Springer Explained

Timothy Alan Springer[1]
Birth Date:23 February 1948[2]
Birth Place:Fort Benning, Georgia
Fields:Immunology
Structural biology
Work Institutions:Harvard University
Boston Children's Hospital
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
University of Cambridge
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology[3]
Education:Harvard University (PhD)
University of California, Berkeley (BA)
Thesis Title:Detergent soluble products of HLA
Thesis Url:https://id.lib.harvard.edu/alma/990039674420203941/catalog
Thesis Year:1976
Doctoral Advisor:Jack Strominger[4]
Known For:Discovery of LFA-1 and other integrins
Awards:Robert Koch Prize
Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
Canada Gairdner International Award
Crafoord Prize

Timothy "Tim" A. Springer (born February 23, 1948) is an immunologist and the Latham Family Professor at Harvard Medical School.[5] He is also a professor at the Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of the Division of Medical Sciences,[5] and a Senior Investigator at the Research Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine of the Boston Children's Hospital.[6] Springer is best known for discovering the first integrins, LFA-1, and intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs),[7] and for elucidating how these cell adhesion molecules function in the immune system. In recent years, Springer's research interest has expanded to malaria, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, and von Willebrand factor.[8] [9]

Early life and education

Springer was born in 1948 in Fort Benning, Georgia.[2] His father was a physician.[10] Springer attended the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in biochemistry and graduating with a BA in 1971.[3] He went on to pursue a PhD under Jack Strominger at Harvard University, completing it in 1976.[4]

Career

After obtaining his PhD, Springer took a postdoctoral position under César Milstein at the University of Cambridge and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology.[3] [11] [12]

A year later, he returned to the United States and became an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Springer was promoted to associate professor in 1983 and was appointed Latham Family Professor in 1989.[3]

Outside of Harvard, Springer was the Chief of the Laboratory of Membrane Immunochemistry at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute between 1981 and 1988, and a Senior Investigator at the Immune Disease Institute of Boston from 1988 until its 2012 merge into Boston Children's Hospital.[3] [13]

Since 2012, Springer has been a Senior Investigator at the Research Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine of the Boston Children's Hospital.[3]

Springer is involved in a number of business ventures. He founded LeukoSite in 1993,[5] which went public in 1997 and was acquired by Millennium Pharmaceuticals the next year.[14] He co-founded biotechnology companies Scholar Rock in 2012[15] and Morphic Therapeutic in 2015.[16] He was also an early investor in Selecta Biosciences and Editas Medicine.[14]

Springer was a founding investor of the then-startup company Moderna after investing USD$5 million in 2010.[17] He was the company's fourth-largest shareholder and made USD$400 million when the company launched its initial public offering (IPO) in 2018.[18] [19]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Forbes estimated Springer's net worth as USD$1 billion after in share price of biotechnology companies surged.[20]

In 2017, Springer co-founded the 501(c)(3) organization Institute for Protein Innovation, which focuses on antibody research,[21] with him providing a $10 million foundational grant.[14]

Research

Springer began his research career in immunology. He was studying cytotoxic T cells' interaction with antigens, and, since this interaction depends on magnesium, believed a protein in addition to the T-cell receptor is required.[22] He found a monoclonal antibody that binds a new protein prevents cytotoxic T cells interacting with antigens, and named the protein LFA-1.[23] LFA-1 is a heterodimer, meaning it is made of two different protein subunits.

Around the same period, Richard Hynes from the United States and Erkki Ruoslahti from Finland were independently characterizing proteins on the cell surface that helps attach cells to the surrounding extracellular matrix. They discovered fibronectin and a receptor protein to which fibronectin binds. The fibronectin receptor, which Hynes named "integrin", is also a protein heterodimer.[7] [24] Springer found that one of the protein subunits of LFA-1 and Mac-1, a protein heterodimer found on macrophages, has a highly similar DNA sequence to one of the subunits of the fibronectin receptor, suggesting the three proteins belong to the same family of proteins.[25]

Springer's group also discovered ICAM-1, the protein to which LFA-1 binds, and that this interaction is essential for cytotoxic T cells to recognize antigens.[26] [27] His innovative use of monoclonal antibodies in these discoveries[28] paved the way for the development of therapeutic antibodies, known as selective adhesion molecule inhibitors, to treat autoimmune diseases.

In addition, Springer identified the steps through which white blood cells move out of the circulatory system towards the site of damage or infection.[29]

More recently, research at Springer's group has expanded to malaria vaccine, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, and how von Willebrand factor starts the process of stopping bleeding.[9]

Personal life

Springer is a gongshi collector.[30]

Springer is married to Chafen Lu, a former assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and an alumnus of his lab. He has five children, three from his first marriage.[31] [32]

Springer founded and has made contributions to the Institute for Protein Innovation, a Boston-based nonprofit biomedical research organization. He also has endowed professorships at Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, and Berkeley.[33] [34]

Honors and awards

He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of California, Berkeley.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Timothy Alan Springer, Ph.D. . October 2019 . . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421035031/https://bcmp.hms.harvard.edu/faculty-staff/timothy-alan-springer . April 21, 2023.
  2. Web site: Timothy A. Springer . . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421035620/https://id.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJppx4VcyRJbQ7CdJypdcP.html . April 21, 2023.
  3. Web site: CURRICULUM VITAE . Immune Disease Institute . April 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170420175904/http://www.idi.harvard.edu/uploads/investigators/Springer_CV_2012_all_pubs.pdf . April 20, 2017.
  4. Web site: Gura . Trisha . IPI co-founder Timothy Springer wins Lasker Award, highlighting key chapter in biology . Institute for Protein Innovation . April 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230424063404/https://proteininnovation.org/2022/09/timothy-springer-ipi-lasker-award-2022-integrins/ . April 24, 2023 . September 28, 2022.
  5. Web site: Timothy A. Springer, PhD . Harvard Medical School . June 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230625134956/https://timothyspringer.org/people/timothy-springer . June 25, 2023.
  6. Web site: Timothy A. Springer . . June 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230625135339/https://www.childrenshospital.org/research/researchers/timothy-springer . June 25, 2023.
  7. Web site: 2022 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award . . June 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230625135847/https://laskerfoundation.org/winners/integrins-mediators-of-cell-matrix-cell-adhesion/ . June 25, 2023.
  8. Web site: Timothy A. Springer . Harvard Medical School . June 25, 2023 . June 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230625141116/https://dms.hms.harvard.edu/people/timothy-springer-2.
  9. Web site: Springer Lab - Research . Harvard Medical School . June 25, 2023 . June 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230625141344/https://timothyspringer.org/research.
  10. News: Deane Ungerleider to Be Bride Of Timothy A. Springer in May . June 26, 2023 . . March 28, 1976 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230626135516/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/03/28/archives/jeane-ungerleider-to-be-bride-of-timothy-a-springer-in-may.html . June 26, 2023.
  11. News: Zamora . Gigi . Billionaire Professor Tim Springer Donates $210 Million To Biomedical Research Nonprofit . June 26, 2023 . . May 24, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230626140756/https://www.forbes.com/sites/gigizamora/2023/05/24/billionaire-professor-tim-springer-donates-210-million-to-biomedical-research-nonprofit/?sh=55f889c472c8 . June 26, 2023.
  12. News: Dutchen . Stephanie . Timothy Springer Receives Lasker Award . June 26, 2023 . Harvard Medical School . September 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230626140821/https://hms.harvard.edu/news/timothy-springer-receives-lasker-award . June 26, 2023.
  13. News: Douglas . Craig . Immune Disease Institute merges into Children's Hospital Boston . July 8, 2023 . . October 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230708130944/https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2012/10/01/immune-disease-institute-merges-into.html?s=print . July 8, 2023.
  14. News: Gormley . Brian . Biotech Entrepreneur Timothy Springer Has Another Act . July 21, 2017 . . https://archive.today/20170721232039/https://www.wsj.com/articles/biotech-entrepreneur-timothy-springer-has-another-act-1500463800 . July 21, 2017.
  15. News: Cambridge biotech Scholar Rock gets $80m in deal with Gilead . . Jonathan . Saltzman . December 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418213526/https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/12/19/cambridge-biotech-scholar-rock-gets-deal-with-gilead/SquADZ6dtR9MHeGanw2mbL/story.html . April 18, 2023 . April 18, 2023.
  16. Web site: Timothy Springer, PhD . Morphic Therapeutic . June 29, 2023 . June 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230629080639/https://morphictx.com/leadership/board-of-directors-timothy-springer-phd/.
  17. Web site: Timothy Springer . Forbes . June 28, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230628144617/https://www.forbes.com/profile/timothy-springer/?sh=ac852812b2d1 . June 28, 2023.
  18. News: Spalding . Rebecca . A Harvard Professor Made $400 Million in Moderna's Biotech IPO . June 11, 2020 . . December 12, 2018 . https://archive.today/20200611170716/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-12/a-harvard-professor-made-400-million-in-moderna-s-biotech-ipo . June 11, 2020.
  19. News: Winck . Ben . A Harvard medical professor is now a billionaire after his early stake in Moderna soared 17,000% . June 29, 2023 . . April 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230629075359/https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/moderna-stock-bet-turns-harvard-professor-into-billionaire-amid-virus-2020-4-1029123653 . June 29, 2023.
  20. News: Exclusive: Meet The Harvard Professor Who Became A Billionaire Thanks To Coronavirus . May 16, 2020 . Tognini . Giacomo . Forbes . June 29, 2023 . June 29, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230629082045/https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2020/05/16/exclusive-harvard-professor-who-became-a-billionaire-thanks-to-moderna-talks-about-his-investing/?sh=2d7db7f46b8d.
  21. Web site: Our history . Institute for Protein Innovation . June 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630080133/https://proteininnovation.org/history/ . June 30, 2023.
  22. Ravindran . Sandeep . QnAs with Richard O. Hynes, Erkki Ruoslahti, and Timothy A. Springer: Winners of the 2022 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award . . 2022 . 119 . 40 . e2213720119 . free . 10.1073/pnas.2213720119 . 36170249 . 9546579 . 2022PNAS..11913720R .
  23. Kürzinger . K. . Reynolds . T. . Germain . R. N. . Davignon . D. . Martz . E. . Springer . T. A. . A novel lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA-1): cellular distribution, quantitative expression, and structure . . 1981 . 127 . 596–602 . 6788846 . 2 . 10.4049/jimmunol.127.2.596 . 42891370. free .
  24. Munshi . Hidayatullah G. . Richard Hynes, Erkki Ruoslahti, and Timothy Springer receive Lasker prize for pioneering work on integrins . . 2022 . 132 . 19 . e164374 . 10.1172/JCI164374 . 36169028 . free . 9529252 .
  25. Takashi K. . Kishimoto . Karen . O'Connor . Alice . Lee . Thomas M. . Roberts . Timothy A. . Springer . Cloning of the β subunit of the leukocyte adhesion proteins: Homology to an extracellular matrix receptor defines a novel supergene family . . 1987 . 48 . 4 . 681–690 . 10.1016/0092-8674(87)90246-7 . 3028646 . 39834662 . July 6, 2023.
  26. Rothlein . R. . Dustin . M. L. . Marlin . S. D. . Springer . T. A. . A human intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) distinct from LFA-1 . Journal of Immunology . 1986 . 137 . 1270–1274 . 3525675 . 4 . 10.4049/jimmunol.137.4.1270 . 70723.
  27. Marlin . Steven D. . Springer . Timothy A. . Purified intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a ligand for lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) . Cell . 1987 . 51 . 5 . 813–819 . 10.1016/0092-8674(87)90104-8 . 3315233 . 24615925 . July 8, 2023.
  28. Springer . . A. . Adhesion receptors of the immune system . . 1990 . 346 . 425–434 . 10.1038/346425a0 . 1974032 . 6283 . 1990Natur.346..425S . 2154164.
  29. Springer . Timothy A. . Traffic signals for lymphocyte recirculation and leukocyte emigration: The multistep paradigm . Cell . 1994 . 76 . 2 . 301–314 . 10.1016/0092-8674(94)90337-9 . 7507411 . 32045369 . July 7, 2023.
  30. News: Chernick . Karen . Moderna vaccine billionaire Timothy Springer explains his love for Chinese scholar rocks . June 8, 2023 . . January 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608180537/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/01/08/moderna-vaccine-billionaire-timothy-springer-explains-his-love-for-chinese-scholar-rocks . June 8, 2023.
  31. News: Kirsner . Scott . This billionaire has quietly driven Boston's biotech industry for decades . June 30, 2023 . Boston Globe . July 29, 2022 . https://archive.today/20220729130514/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/29/business/this-billionaire-has-quietly-driven-bostons-biotech-industry-decades/ . July 29, 2022.
  32. Web site: Chafen Lu, Ph.D. . Harvard Medical School . June 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630084841/https://timothyspringer.org/people/chafen-lu-phd . June 30, 2023.
  33. News: Kristin . Xiarhos . Wu Honored with Springer Professorship . June 20, 2013 . Harvard Medical School . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630085551/https://hms.harvard.edu/news/wu-honored-springer-professorship . June 30, 2023 . June 30, 2023.
  34. Web site: Gigi Zamora. Forbes.com. Billionaire Professor Tim Springer Donates $210 Million To Biomedical Research Nonprofit. May 24, 2023.
  35. Web site: William B. Coley Award . . June 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230628084856/https://www.cancerresearch.org/william-b-coley-award . June 28, 2023.
  36. Web site: Timothy A. Springer . . June 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230628085001/http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/members/3001708.html . June 28, 2023.
  37. Web site: Timothy Alan Springer . 15 May 2023 . June 28, 2023 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230628085148/https://www.amacad.org/person/timothy-alan-springer . June 28, 2023.
  38. January 29, 2004 . The Crafoord Prize in Polyarthritis 2004 . . July 3, 2023 . July 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703131502/https://www.crafoordprize.se/news/the-crafoord-prize-in-polyarthritis-2004/.
  39. Web site: Timothy A. Springer . . July 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703131744/https://www.gf.org/fellows/timothy-a-springer/ . July 3, 2023.
  40. Web site: Elected Fellows . . July 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703133115/https://www.aaas.org/fellows/listing?page=305 . July 3, 2023.
  41. News: Zambon . Kat . AAAS Council Elects 388 New AAAS Fellows . July 3, 2023 . American Association for the Advancement of Science . November 25, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703133525/https://www.aaas.org/news/aaas-council-elects-388-new-aaas-fellows . July 3, 2023.
  42. Web site: AAI-Thermo Fisher Meritorious Career Award Past Recipients . . July 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704035635/https://www.aai.org/Awards/Career-Awards/AAI-Meritorious-Career-Award/Past-Recipients.aspx . July 4, 2023.
  43. Web site: Henry M. Stratton Medal Recipients (Formerly Lecture) . . July 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704035855/https://www.hematology.org/awards/honorific/henry-stratton-medal-recipients . July 4, 2023.
  44. The American Society of Hematology Honors Geraldine P. Schechter, MD, and Timothy Springer, PhD, with 2014 Henry M. Stratton Medal . July 22, 2014 . American Society of Hematology . https://web.archive.org/web/20181228022830/https://www.hematology.org/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2014/3022.aspx . December 28, 2018 . December 28, 2018 . Washington, D.C..
  45. Web site: Timothy A. Springer . 20 October 2019 . . July 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704040319/https://www.gairdner.org/winner/timothy-a-springer . July 4, 2023.
  46. Robert Koch Prize 2023 for pioneering work in immunology goes to US and Spanish scientists . April 17, 2023 . Robert Koch Foundation . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704040704/https://www.robert-koch-stiftung.de/en/media/press-releases . July 4, 2023 . July 4, 2023 .

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