Zhijian Chen
Zhijian "James" Chen | |
---|---|
Born | 1966 (age 57–58) Anxi County, Fujian, China |
Citizenship | United States |
Education | State University of New York at Buffalo |
Awards | NAS Award in Molecular Biology (2012) Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences (2018) Ray Wu award (2018) Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2019) Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize (2023) |
Scientific career | |
Institutions |
Zhijian "James" Chen (simplified Chinese: 陈志坚; traditional Chinese:
Early life and education
[edit]Chen was born in Nandou Village (Chinese:
Career
[edit]Following his post-doctoral work, Chen began working as a research scientist at Baxter Healthcare in Irvine, California. He then spent three years working as a senior scientist at biotech firm ProScript in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he developed assays that helped to identify and improve the cancer treatment Velcade. His time at ProScript allowed Chen to work in molecular biology and drug development and it was while working there that Chen started researching ubiquitin.[3][5] Working with Tom Maniatis of Harvard University in 1996, Chen found that the enzyme kinase had to be "activated" by ubiquitin in order for the NF-
Research
[edit]Chen's research initially focused on the role of ubiquitin in signaling pathways for the NF-
Honors and awards
[edit]In 2012 Chen was awarded the National Academy of Sciences Award in Molecular Biology,[7] in 2018 the Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences[8] from the National Institutes of Health for his discovery of cGAS and also in 2018 the Ray Wu award from the Chinese Biological Investigators Society. In 2019 Chen received the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for the discovery of the DNA-sensing enzyme cGAS and the pathways by which it activates innate immune responses. He shared this prize with C. Frank Bennett, Adrian R. Krainer, Angelika Amon, and Xiaowei Zhuang.[9] He has also received the Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research and the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Science. In 2023 he was awarded the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize.[10]
Chen was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2014.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "陈志坚当选美
国 科学 院 院 士 " (in Chinese). Fujian Association for Science and Technology. Retrieved 20 May 2014. - ^ a b "James Chen, PhD - Faculty Profile". University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
- ^ a b "HHMI Scientist Bio: Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D." Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "Awardee Profile - James Chen". Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ a b "The 2007 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Awards Recipients". The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ "PATH Grant Recipients". Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ "NAS Award in Molecular Biology". National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
- ^ "Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences". FNIH. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
- ^ "Breakthrough Prizes Recognize Aneuploidy Researcher, Biochemist". The Scientist Magazine. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize 2023
- ^ "Zhijian (James) Chen". National Academy of Sciences. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
External links
[edit]- 1966 births
- Living people
- American biochemists
- American scientists of Asian descent
- Chinese emigrants to the United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Investigators
- Hokkien scientists
- People from Quanzhou
- Chemists from Fujian
- University at Buffalo alumni
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center faculty
- Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences
- Chinese biochemists
- Educators from Fujian
- Biologists from Fujian
- Members of the National Academy of Medicine