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Gary Felsenfeld

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Gary Felsenfeld
Gary Felsenfeld picture
Photo courtesy of NIH
Born(1929-11-18)November 18, 1929
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 1, 2024(2024-05-01) (aged 94)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHarvard University (A.B.), California Institute of Technology (Ph.D.), University of Oxford (postdoc)
Known forChromatin structure, Gene regulation, Epigenetics, Discovery of CTCF
AwardsLouisa Gross Horwitz Prize (2016), Merck Award (1987), Distinguished Presidential Rank Award (1988)
Scientific career
FieldsMolecular biology, Biochemistry
InstitutionsNational Institutes of Health
Doctoral advisorLinus Pauling

Gary Felsenfeld (November 18, 1929 – May 1, 2024) was an American molecular biologist and biochemist known for his pioneering work in chromatin biology and gene regulation. Over a career spanning more than six decades at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), he made seminal contributions to the understanding of chromatin structure and the epigenetic mechanisms controlling gene expression.

Early life and education

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Felsenfeld was born in New York City and developed an early interest in science, inspired by a fluoroscope demonstration during a childhood visit to an allergist. He attended Stuyvesant High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1947. That same year, he was a top-10 finalist in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search for a project on daylight-compatible X-ray film, which earned him a trip to Washington, D.C., and a visit to the NIH.[1]

He earned his A.B. in chemistry from Harvard University in 1951, conducting undergraduate research under John Edsall. He then pursued doctoral studies at the California Institute of Technology under Linus Pauling, receiving his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1955. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Oxford with Charles Coulson, Felsenfeld returned to the U.S.[2]

Career

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In 1956, Felsenfeld joined the Public Health Service and began work at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he studied polynucleotides and contributed to the discovery of the first three-stranded nucleic acid molecule.[3]

From 1958 to 1961, he served as an assistant professor of biophysics at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1961, he became a founding member of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) within the NIH. He was appointed Chief of the Section on Physical Chemistry and later served as Chief of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology.[4][5]

Felsenfeld remained at the NIH for the rest of his career, becoming an NIH Distinguished Investigator and Scientist Emeritus. He was known for his hands-on approach to research and mentorship, often working at the lab bench alongside his trainees.[6]

Research contributions

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Felsenfeld's research significantly advanced the understanding of chromatin structure and gene regulation:

  • Triple-stranded nucleic acids: In collaboration with David Davies and Alexander Rich, he demonstrated the existence of triple-stranded RNA structures, expanding the understanding of nucleic acid configurations.[7]
  • Chromatin structure: He was among the first to investigate DNA folding and chromatin organization, using micrococcal nuclease as a probe to study nucleosome positioning and histone-DNA interactions.[8]
  • Gene regulation: Felsenfeld's work on the β-globin gene cluster led to the identification of regulatory elements known as "insulators," which block interactions between enhancers and promoters. He discovered that the protein CTCF functions as a major genomic boundary element, playing a crucial role in the three-dimensional organization of the genome and regulation of gene expression.[9]
  • Epigenetics: His studies on chromatin boundaries and long-range genomic interactions contributed to the foundation of the field of epigenetics, influencing research on cellular differentiation and development.[9]

Awards and honors

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Felsenfeld received numerous accolades for his scientific contributions:

  • Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize (2016): Awarded by Columbia University for outstanding basic research in biology or biochemistry, recognizing his work on chromatin structure and gene regulation.[10]
  • Merck Award (1987): Presented by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for his achievements in biochemistry.[citation needed]
  • Presidential Rank Award (1988): Conferred by the U.S. government for sustained extraordinary accomplishments in the federal service.[11]

He was elected to several organizations, including:

Personal life

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Felsenfeld was married to Naomi for nearly 68 years and had three children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was known for his passion for science, music, literature, and art. He passed away on May 1, 2024, at the age of 94.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Westinghouse Science Talent Search 1947". Society for Science. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Gary Felsenfeld (1929–2024)". ASBMB Today. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  3. ^ "NIH Remembers Research Pioneer Gary Felsenfeld". NIH Intramural Research Program Blog. June 7, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  4. ^ Gottesman, Michael M. (2024). "Editorial: Gary Felsenfeld (1929–2024)". Nucleic Acids Research. 52 (13): 7399–7400. doi:10.1093/nar/gkae503. PMC 11260473.
  5. ^ Gottesman, Michael M. (2023). "Two pioneers of epigenetics: their different paths to chromatin". Frontiers in Epigenetics and Epigenomics. 1. doi:10.3389/freae.2023.1334556.
  6. ^ "Oral History: Dr. Gary Felsenfeld, Distinguished Investigator". YouTube. National Institutes of Health. 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  7. ^ Felsenfeld, G.; Davies, D. R.; Rich, A. (1957). "Formation of a Three-Stranded Polynucleotide Molecule". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 79 (8): 2023–2024. Bibcode:1957JAChS..79.2023F. doi:10.1021/ja01565a074.
  8. ^ McGhee, J. D.; Felsenfeld, G. (1983). "Another potential artifact in the study of nucleosome phasing by chromatin digestion with micrococcal nuclease". Cell. 32 (4): 1205–1215. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(83)90303-3. PMID 6301684.
  9. ^ a b Yusufzai, T. M.; Felsenfeld, G. (2004). "The 5′-HS4 chicken β-globin insulator is a CTCF-dependent nuclear matrix–associated element". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 101 (23): 8620–8624. doi:10.1073/pnas.0402938101. PMC 423244. PMID 15169959.
  10. ^ "NIDDK's Felsenfeld Receives Horwitz Prize". NIH Record. September 23, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  11. ^ ref name="NIHRecord1989">"NIH Record, October 31, 1989" (PDF). NIH Record. October 31, 1989. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  12. ^ "Gary Felsenfeld". National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  13. ^ "Gary Felsenfeld". American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 28 April 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  14. ^ "AAAS Members Elected as Fellows, 7 January 1980". Science. 207 (4433): 868–869. January 7, 1980. doi:10.1126/science.207.4433.868.
  15. ^ "Gary Felsenfeld Obituary". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
[edit]
  • NIH Oral History Interview with Dr. Gary Felsenfeld (2019)
  • Oral History: Dr. Gary Felsenfeld, Distinguished Investigator – YouTube
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