G. Robert Greenberg, Early Leader in Molecular Biology, Dies at 86
 G. Robert Greenberg, emeritus professor of biological chemistry, died May 15
at his home following a brief illness. He was 86.
Greenberg’s research career spanned six decades and several scientific
disciplines. He was born in 1918 in Minnesota and received a doctorate in physiological
chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1943. During the early years of
his career at Case Western Reserve University, he pioneered the use of radioactive
compounds to elucidate the pathway for the biosynthesis of purines, one of two
types of bases in DNA.
In 1957, Greenberg was awarded the prestigious Paul Lewis prize and he joined
the faculty of the newly reorganized Department of Biological Chemistry at the
U-M Medical School. Greenberg refocused his research on the bacteriophage T4,
which infects E. Coli and reprograms the cell to synthesize a new type of viral
DNA. Greenberg’s research was innovative and imaginative, and he became
a leader in the emerging field of molecular biology.
After his retirement in 1988, he continued his research on the T4 rib nucleotide
reductase for many years as an active emeritus professor. He taught a graduate
course until last year.
Greenberg transmitted his great enthusiasm for bench research to several generations
of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Through his contacts with the
early pioneers of molecular biology, he launched many students on their academic
and scientific careers. Junior faculty colleagues also acknowledge his mentoring
influence on their scientific development.
Greenberg is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan Jiga Greenberg; children
James, Paula Marshall, Bettie Clark, Alice Vorbach, Ela Cohen and Marc Efraim;
and nine grandchildren.
—contributed by Margaret Lomax
Also:
Castle Elected as Fellow of AAAS
Medical School Icon Horace Davenport Dies
Jay Hess Named Chair of Pathology
Alan Saltiel Elected to Institute of Medicine
G. Robert Greenberg, Early Leader in Molecular Biology, Dies at 86
William Beierwaltes, Nuclear Medicine Pioneer, Dies at 88
Dean’s Faculty Awards 2005
Faculty Members Honored as Inaugural Holders of New Endowed Professorships
|
