Dean Burk

M. Dean Burk

Dean Burk (March 21, 1904 – October 6, 1988) was an American biochemist, known for his co-discovery of the biotin vitamin and his development of the Lineweaver-Burk plot, a graphical representation of the Michaelis-Menten equation that is widely used to calculate enzyme kinetics. Burk spent much of his career at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he conducted research into cancer and its causes.

Early Life and Education

Dean Burk was born in Newaygo, Michigan, and showed an early interest in science and chemistry. He pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also completed his Ph.D. in biochemistry. His doctoral research focused on the enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to biochemistry and enzymology.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Burk joined the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin, where he worked on the chemistry of photosynthesis. However, his most notable achievements came after he returned to the United States and started working at the NCI. Here, Burk's research spanned various aspects of cancer, including the metabolism of tumors and the effects of fluoride on cancer cells. His work on biotin, a vitamin essential for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, was groundbreaking and led to the vitamin's identification and synthesis.

One of Burk's most significant contributions to science was the development of the Lineweaver-Burk plot, a method he devised with colleague Hans Lineweaver to analyze enzyme kinetics. This plot simplifies the interpretation of enzyme activity, making it easier to understand how enzymes work and how they are affected by different factors.

Controversy

In his later years, Burk became involved in a controversial debate over the safety of fluoridation of drinking water. He argued that fluoridation could be linked to cancer, a position that put him at odds with many in the scientific community. Despite his prestigious background and contributions to biochemistry, his stance on fluoridation led to criticism and diminished his reputation among some peers.

Legacy

Despite the controversy surrounding his views on fluoridation, Dean Burk's contributions to biochemistry and cancer research remain significant. His work on the biotin vitamin and enzyme kinetics has had a lasting impact on the fields of biochemistry and medicine. The Lineweaver-Burk plot, in particular, continues to be a fundamental tool in enzymology, taught in biochemistry courses around the world.

Burk's career at the NCI and his research into the biochemistry of cancer have paved the way for further studies into the metabolic pathways of cancer cells, contributing to the ongoing search for cancer treatments and cures.

Death

Dean Burk passed away on October 6, 1988, leaving behind a legacy of scientific achievement and a body of work that continues to influence the fields of biochemistry and cancer research.