Elvin A. Kabat

Elvin Kabat

Elvin A. Kabat (September 1, 1914 – June 16, 2000) was an American biochemist and immunologist known for his pioneering work in the field of immunochemistry. His research significantly advanced the understanding of the structure and function of antibodies and the nature of antigen-antibody interactions.

Early Life and Education

Elvin Abraham Kabat was born in New York City, New York. He attended City College of New York where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1936. He then pursued his doctoral studies at Columbia University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1941 under the mentorship of Michael Heidelberger, a prominent immunologist.

Career and Research

Kabat's early work focused on the chemical properties of antibodies and their role in the immune response. He developed methods to quantify the binding of antibodies to antigens, which laid the groundwork for the field of quantitative immunochemistry. His research demonstrated that antibodies are proteins and that their specificity is determined by their unique amino acid sequences.

In the 1950s, Kabat's work led to the identification of the hypervariable regions of antibodies, which are now known to be critical for antigen binding. This discovery was fundamental to the understanding of the molecular basis of antibody diversity.

Contributions to Immunology

Kabat's contributions to immunology include the development of the Kabat numbering scheme, a system for numbering the amino acids in the variable regions of antibody chains. This scheme is widely used in the study of antibody structure and function.

He also co-authored the influential book "Experimental Immunochemistry" with Michael Heidelberger, which became a standard reference in the field.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Kabat received numerous awards and honors, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was also awarded the Gairdner Foundation International Award and the American Association of Immunologists Lifetime Achievement Award.

Personal Life

Kabat was married to his wife, Rose, and they had two children. He passed away on June 16, 2000, in New York City.

Legacy

Elvin A. Kabat's work has had a lasting impact on the field of immunology. His research on the structure and function of antibodies continues to influence the development of therapeutic antibodies and vaccines.

See Also

• Immunology
• Antibody
• Antigen
• Michael Heidelberger
• Kabat numbering scheme

External Links

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