Aziz Sancar

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Aziz Sancar (born September 8, 1946) is a prominent Turkish-American biochemist and molecular biologist who has made significant contributions to the field of DNA repair, cell cycle, and circadian rhythm. His groundbreaking work on the mechanisms of nucleotide excision repair (NER), a process cells use to repair damaged DNA, earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015, which he shared with Paul Modrich and Tomas Lindahl. Sancar's research has not only advanced our understanding of how cells maintain their genetic integrity but also has implications for cancer research and treatment.

Early Life and Education

Aziz Sancar was born in Savur, Mardin Province, Turkey. He grew up in a family of seven children and developed an interest in science at an early age. Sancar attended Istanbul University, where he earned his M.D. in 1969. He then pursued further studies in the United States, obtaining a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1977. His doctoral research focused on photolyase and the repair of ultraviolet (UV) damaged DNA.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Sancar conducted postdoctoral research at Yale University, where he began his pioneering work on nucleotide excision repair. In 1982, he joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he has spent much of his career. At UNC, Sancar and his research team have elucidated the molecular mechanisms of NER, discovering how cells detect and repair bulky DNA lesions caused by UV light and certain chemicals.

Sancar's work has extended beyond NER to include studies on the circadian clock, the internal mechanism that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other rhythmic physiological processes. He has investigated how the circadian clock influences DNA repair processes, shedding light on the interplay between cellular repair mechanisms and circadian rhythms.

Awards and Honors

Aziz Sancar's contributions to science have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has received the Gairdner Foundation International Award and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's Merck Award, among others.

Personal Life

Aziz Sancar is married to Gwen Boles Sancar, a professor of biochemistry and biophysics. Together, they have contributed to the establishment of the Aziz & Gwen Sancar Foundation, which aims to promote education and cultural exchange between Turkey and the United States.

Legacy and Impact

Aziz Sancar's work has had a profound impact on the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, particularly in our understanding of DNA repair mechanisms. His research has paved the way for new approaches to cancer therapy, including the development of drugs that target DNA repair pathways. Sancar's achievements serve as an inspiration to scientists around the world, demonstrating the importance of basic scientific research in addressing complex biological and medical challenges.