Stanley Cohen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stanley Cohen
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Stanley Cohen (biochemist)
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| Born | November 17, 1922 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | February 5, 2020 (aged 97) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Known for | Nerve growth factor |
| Awards | Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1986) The Franklin Medal (1987) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry |
| Institutions | Washington University in St. Louis |
Stanley Cohen (born November 17, 1922 – died February 5, 2020) was an American scientist. He was a biochemist, which means he studied the chemistry of living things. In 1986, he won the famous Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
His important research helped us understand how diseases like cancer begin. It also helped scientists create new medicines to fight cancer. Stanley Cohen was also one of the first scientists to work on genetic engineering with another scientist named Herbert Boyer. This field involves changing the genes of living things.
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Stanley Cohen's Early Life and Education
Stanley Cohen grew up and went to college in the United States. He studied both chemistry and biology at Brooklyn College. In 1943, he earned his first degree, a bachelor's degree.
After that, he worked as a bacteriologist. This job involved studying tiny living things called bacteria at a milk processing plant. He continued his studies and received a master's degree in zoology from Oberlin College in 1945. Later, in 1948, he earned his highest degree, a Ph.D., from the University of Michigan.
Discovering Growth Factors
In the 1950s, Stanley Cohen worked with another brilliant scientist, Rita Levi-Montalcini. They were at Washington University in St. Louis. During this time, Cohen made two very important discoveries:
- He found something called the nerve growth factor. This is a special protein that helps nerve cells grow and survive.
- He then discovered the epidermal growth factor. This protein helps skin cells and other cells grow and divide.
These discoveries were a huge step forward in understanding how our bodies grow and heal. They also helped explain how some diseases, like cancer, might start when cells grow out of control.
Awards and Later Life
In 1959, Stanley Cohen started teaching biochemistry at Vanderbilt University. He continued his important research there. His work was recognized with many major awards:
- In 1983, he received the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize from Columbia University.
- In 1986, he was awarded the National Medal of Science.
- Also in 1986, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries of growth factors.
Stanley Cohen passed away on February 5, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 97 years old and left behind a lasting impact on science and medicine.
See Also
- In Spanish: Stanley Cohen para niños
