Bruce William Stillman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruce William Stillman
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| Born | 16 October 1953 Melbourne, Australia
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| Alma mater | University of Sydney (BSc [Hons. 1]), Australian National University (PhD) |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Stillman |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. Prize, Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize, Canada Gairdner International Award, Dr. H. P. Heineken Prize |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry |
| Institutions | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory |
Bruce William Stillman (born 16 October 1953) is a top biochemist and cancer researcher from Australia. He has been a leader at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in the United States for many years, serving as its Director since 1994 and President since 2003. Under his leadership, CSHL became known as a top place for research in molecular biology and genetics.
Dr. Stillman's research helps us understand how chromosomes (which carry our DNA) are copied perfectly inside human cells. He also studies how mistakes in this copying process can lead to serious diseases like cancer. For his important discoveries, he has received many awards, including the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize and the Canada Gairdner International Award.
Contents
Life and Career: A Journey of Discovery
Bruce Stillman grew up in Australia. He went to Glen Waverley High School and Sydney Boys High School. Later, he studied at the University of Sydney and earned his PhD from the Australian National University.
In 1979, he started working at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He began by studying how DNA makes copies of itself. He first looked at simple models like the adenovirus and simian virus 40. These studies helped him understand how viruses trick cells into copying their DNA.
Unlocking the Secrets of DNA Copying
Eventually, Dr. Stillman focused on how our own cells copy their chromosomes. He mainly studied this process in yeast (a type of fungus called Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and in human cells. His work showed how both viruses and certain proteins can change how cells work, sometimes leading to cancer.
One of his biggest achievements was figuring out how to copy the SV40 virus DNA in a test tube using only purified proteins. This was like building a tiny DNA copying machine! He discovered many important human proteins needed for this process, such as RPA, RFC, and PCNA. He also found that different DNA polymerase enzymes work together to copy DNA, often switching roles.
The Origin Recognition Complex: Starting DNA Replication
Another major discovery by Dr. Stillman's team was the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC). Think of ORC as a special "start button" on our DNA. It's a group of six proteins that tells the cell where to begin copying DNA.
Soon after finding ORC, his team identified other proteins that work with it to form the pre-replication complex (pre-RC). This pre-RC prepares the chromosomes so they can be copied. His research has shown exactly how DNA copying starts and how the cell makes sure DNA is copied only once during each cell cycle. This prevents errors that could lead to problems like cancer.
How DNA and Its Packaging Are Copied
Dr. Stillman also studied how the proteins that wrap around our DNA are passed on when cells divide. Our DNA is tightly wound around special proteins called histones, like thread on spools. This organized structure is called chromatin.
He developed a way to study how new histones are put onto the DNA as it's being copied. He discovered proteins like Chromatin Assembly Factor-1 (CAF-1) that help this process. These discoveries helped us understand how the entire DNA package, including its spools, is correctly passed from one cell to its new copies.
Honors and Awards: Recognizing Great Science
Dr. Stillman has received many honors and awards for his groundbreaking work in biochemistry and cancer research. These awards show how important his discoveries are to science and medicine.
- Commonwealth Postgraduate Award (1976–1978)
- Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Fund Fellow (1979–1980)
- Rita Allen Foundation Scholar (1982–1987)
- Merit Award – National Institutes of Health (1986)
- The Royal Society (London), Elected Fellow (1993)
- Julian Wells Medal, Genome Conference, Australia (1994)
- Ida Beam Visiting Professor-University of Iowa (1996)
- Order of Australia, AO (1999)
- National Academy of Sciences, Elected Foreign Associate (2000); Elected Member (2013)
- American Academy of Microbiology, Elected Fellow (2000)
- Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa), Hofstra University (2001)
- Doctor of Science (honoris causa), New York Institute of Technology (2001)
- European Molecular Biology Organization, Associate Member (2001)
- Doctor of Science (honoris causa), Stony Brook University (2002)
- Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. Prize for Cancer Research, (2004)
- Curtin Medal for Excellence in Medical Research, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University (2006)
- Doctor of Science, (honoris causa), Long Island University (2007)
- Doctor of Science (honoris causa), University of Sydney (2008)
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Elected Member (2008)
- Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize, Columbia University (2010)
- Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Elected Corresponding Fellow (2012)
- Herbert Tabor Research Award, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) (214)
- Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (2016)
- Doctor of Science, (honoris causa), Clarkson University (2018)
- Canada Gairdner International Award (2019)
- Fellow, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy (2019)
- Dr. H. P. Heineken Prize (2020)
- Australian Advance Global Impact Award (2021)
- Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Monash University (2022)
- Earl and Thressa Stadman Distinguished Scientist Award, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) (2024)
Professional Activities: Sharing Knowledge
Beyond his research, Dr. Stillman also helps guide other scientific organizations. He is a member of the Medical Advisory Board for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He also advises other research centers, like the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. He has served on important boards that help shape national cancer research policies.
