Harold Elliot Varmus

Harold Elliot Varmus (born December 18, 1939) is an American Nobel Prize-winning scientist known for his research in the field of cancer and genetics. Varmus, along with J. Michael Bishop, discovered the cellular origin of retroviral oncogenes, significantly advancing the understanding of cancer's genetic basis. This groundbreaking work earned them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1989.

Early Life and Education

Harold E. Varmus was born in Oceanside, New York, to a family of Jewish descent. He pursued his undergraduate education at Amherst College, where he initially showed interest in English literature before turning towards medicine. Varmus graduated with a B.A. in 1961 and subsequently enrolled at Harvard University to study medicine, earning his M.D. in 1966. Following his graduation, Varmus conducted his medical training at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons and later at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he developed a keen interest in molecular biology.

Career and Research

Varmus's career is distinguished by his contributions to understanding how cancers develop at a molecular level. After his training at NIH, he joined the faculty of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he collaborated with J. Michael Bishop. Together, they conducted pioneering research that led to the discovery that normal cellular genes, when mutated, can become oncogenes—genes that contribute to the development of cancer. This work not only earned them the Nobel Prize but also shifted the scientific community's approach to cancer research, emphasizing the genetic mutations within cells as a cause of cancer. In addition to his research, Varmus has held several prominent positions in the scientific community. He served as the Director of the National Institutes of Health from 1993 to 1999, where he was instrumental in doubling the NIH budget and promoting the importance of genomic research. Following his tenure at NIH, Varmus became the President of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, furthering cancer research and treatment. In 2010, he was appointed Director of the National Cancer Institute, a position he held until 2015, focusing on cancer research and its applications in medicine.

Awards and Honors

Harold Varmus's contributions to science have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1989. He is also a recipient of the National Medal of Science, awarded in 2001, and has been elected to several prestigious organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Legacy and Impact

Varmus's work has had a profound impact on the field of cancer research, shifting the paradigm to understand cancer as a disease driven by genetic mutations. His advocacy for open access to scientific research and his efforts to increase funding for scientific research have left a lasting mark on the scientific community.

Selected Publications

Throughout his career, Varmus has authored numerous influential scientific papers and books, contributing significantly to the literature on cancer and molecular biology. Some of his notable publications include:

• Retroviruses (co-authored with J. Michael Bishop)
• The Art and Politics of Science – a memoir detailing his journey in science and his views on the intersection of science and society.

See Also

• Cancer genetics
• Oncogene
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
• National Institutes of Health
• National Cancer Institute