Angelika Amon

Austrian-American molecular and cell biologist

Angelika Amon

Angelika Amon (10 January 1967 – 29 October 2020) was an Austrian-American molecular and cell biologist known for her pioneering research on aneuploidy and its effects on cell cycle regulation. Her work significantly advanced the understanding of how chromosomal imbalances contribute to cancer and other diseases.

Early life and education

Angelika Amon was born in Vienna, Austria. She developed an early interest in science, which led her to pursue studies in biology. Amon attended the University of Vienna, where she earned her undergraduate degree in biology. She continued her education at the same institution, completing her Ph.D. in 1993 under the supervision of Kim Nasmyth. Her doctoral research focused on the regulation of the cell cycle in yeast, which laid the foundation for her future work on aneuploidy.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Amon moved to the United States for postdoctoral research at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, she worked with renowned geneticist Rudolf Jaenisch, further honing her skills in molecular biology and genetics.

In 1999, Amon joined the faculty at MIT as an assistant professor. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a full professor in 2007. Her research at MIT focused on understanding the consequences of aneuploidy in cells, particularly how it affects cell growth and division. Amon's work demonstrated that aneuploidy can lead to genomic instability, a hallmark of many cancers.

Research contributions

Amon's research provided critical insights into the mechanisms by which aneuploidy disrupts normal cellular processes. She discovered that aneuploid cells experience stress due to imbalances in protein production, leading to cellular dysfunction. Her work also explored how cells with abnormal chromosome numbers can evade normal growth controls, contributing to tumorigenesis.

Amon's studies on the mitotic checkpoint and its role in preventing aneuploidy were particularly influential. She identified key proteins involved in this checkpoint and elucidated their functions in ensuring accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Angelika Amon received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science. She was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2019, she was awarded the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for her groundbreaking work on aneuploidy.

Personal life

Angelika Amon was known for her passion for science and her dedication to mentoring young scientists. She was married to fellow scientist Johannes Weis, and they had two daughters. Amon passed away on 29 October 2020, after a battle with ovarian cancer.

Legacy

Angelika Amon's research has had a lasting impact on the field of cell biology and cancer research. Her discoveries continue to influence studies on chromosomal abnormalities and their role in disease. Amon is remembered as a brilliant scientist and a beloved mentor who inspired many in the scientific community.

Related pages

• Aneuploidy
• Cell cycle
• Cancer
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology