Alfred Nisonoff

Alfred Nisonoff
Born	(1923-04-15)April 15, 1923 New York City, New York, USA
Died	November 1, 2001(2001-11-01) (aged 78)
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Columbia University
Known for	Research on antibodies and immunoglobulins
Scientific career
Fields	Immunology
Institutions	Brandeis University, National Institutes of Health

Alfred Nisonoff (April 15, 1923 – November 1, 2001) was a prominent American immunologist known for his pioneering work in the field of antibody research. His contributions significantly advanced the understanding of immunoglobulin structure and function, which are crucial components of the immune system.

Early Life and Education

Alfred Nisonoff was born in New York City, New York. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Columbia University, where he developed a keen interest in the biological sciences. He continued his education at the same institution, earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry.

Career and Research

Nisonoff's career was marked by his innovative research on antibodies, which are proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. His work primarily focused on the structure and function of immunoglobulins, a class of proteins that function as antibodies.

Antibody Structure

One of Nisonoff's significant contributions was his research on the structure of antibodies. He was instrumental in elucidating the Y-shaped structure of immunoglobulins, which consists of two heavy chains and two light chains. This structure is critical for the antibody's ability to bind to antigens and mediate immune responses.

Fragmentation of Antibodies

Nisonoff is perhaps best known for his work on the fragmentation of antibodies. He developed methods to cleave antibodies into functional fragments, such as the Fab fragment and the Fc fragment. These fragments retain the ability to bind antigens and are used extensively in research and clinical diagnostics.

Contributions to Immunology

Throughout his career, Nisonoff published numerous papers that advanced the field of immunology. His research provided insights into the mechanisms of antibody diversity and specificity, which are fundamental to the adaptive immune response.

Academic Positions

Nisonoff held several prestigious academic positions during his career. He was a professor at Brandeis University, where he mentored many students and researchers in the field of immunology. He also worked at the National Institutes of Health, contributing to national research initiatives in immunology.

Awards and Honors

Nisonoff received several awards for his contributions to science, including recognition from professional societies in immunology and biochemistry. His work continues to influence research in antibody engineering and therapeutic development.

Personal Life

Alfred Nisonoff was known for his dedication to science and education. He was a mentor to many young scientists and was passionate about advancing the field of immunology.

Legacy

Nisonoff's work laid the foundation for many modern techniques in antibody research and therapy. His contributions are still relevant today, particularly in the development of monoclonal antibodies and other biotherapeutics.

Also see

• Antibody
• Immunoglobulin
• Fab fragment
• Fc fragment
• Monoclonal antibody