David Eisenberg

David Eisenberg - journal.pcbi.1003116.g001

David Eisenberg is a prominent American biochemist and structural biologist known for his significant contributions to the field of protein structure and bioinformatics. He is a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and has been a leading figure in the study of protein-protein interactions and protein folding.

Early Life and Education

David Eisenberg was born in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biochemistry. He then pursued his doctoral studies at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, where he received his Ph.D. in theoretical chemistry.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Eisenberg joined the faculty at UCLA, where he has spent the majority of his academic career. He has held various positions, including Director of the UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics.

Research Contributions

Eisenberg's research has focused on understanding the principles of protein structure and function. He has made significant contributions to the field of bioinformatics, particularly in the development of computational methods for predicting protein structures and interactions.

Protein-Protein Interactions

One of Eisenberg's notable achievements is his work on protein-protein interactions. His research has provided insights into how proteins interact with each other, which is crucial for understanding cellular processes and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Protein Folding

Eisenberg has also made important contributions to the study of protein folding, the process by which a protein assumes its functional three-dimensional structure. His work has helped to elucidate the mechanisms underlying protein misfolding and aggregation, which are implicated in various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Awards and Honors

David Eisenberg has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has also been recognized with the Stein and Moore Award from the Protein Society and the DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Personal Life

Eisenberg is married and has two children. He is known for his dedication to mentoring young scientists and has trained many students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry.

See Also

• Protein structure
• Bioinformatics
• Protein folding
• Protein-protein interactions
• University of California, Los Angeles