Frederic M. Richards

Fred Richards photo

Frederic M. Richards (August 19, 1925 – January 11, 2009) was an American biochemist known for his pioneering work in the field of protein structure and biophysics. He made significant contributions to the understanding of protein folding and the development of methods for determining protein structures.

Early Life and Education

Frederic Middlebrook Richards was born on August 19, 1925, in New York City. He attended Yale University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1945. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard University in 1950, under the supervision of John T. Edsall.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Richards joined the faculty at Yale University, where he spent the majority of his career. He became a full professor in 1963 and was later appointed as the Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. Richards was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Research Contributions

Richards is best known for his work on the structure and function of proteins. He developed the concept of the accessible surface area of proteins, which is crucial for understanding protein folding and interactions. His research on ribonuclease and myoglobin provided key insights into the three-dimensional structures of these proteins.

One of his notable contributions was the development of the Richards Box, a tool used for the visualization of electron density maps in protein crystallography. This innovation greatly facilitated the interpretation of complex protein structures.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Richards received numerous awards and honors, including the Stein and Moore Award from the Protein Society and the Gairdner Foundation International Award. He was also a fellow of the Biophysical Society and received the National Medal of Science in 1986.

Personal Life

Richards was married to Jane S. Richards, and they had three children. He was known for his dedication to teaching and mentoring young scientists, many of whom went on to have distinguished careers in biochemistry and biophysics.

Legacy

Frederic M. Richards left a lasting impact on the field of biochemistry through his innovative research and contributions to the understanding of protein structure. His work continues to influence current studies in protein folding and molecular biology.

See Also

• Protein folding
• Biophysics
• Ribonuclease
• Myoglobin
• National Academy of Sciences
• Yale University