Irwin Rose

Nobel2004chemistrylaurets-Rose

Irwin Rose

Irwin Allan Rose (July 16, 1926 – June 2, 2015) was an American biologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2004 for the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. He shared the prize with Aaron Ciechanover and Avram Hershko.

Early Life and Education

Irwin Rose was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in Spokane, Washington. He served in the United States Navy during World War II before attending the University of Chicago, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1948 and his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1952.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Rose worked at the University of Chicago and later at the Yale School of Medicine. In 1963, he joined the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, where he conducted much of his groundbreaking research on ubiquitin.

Research and Discoveries

Rose's most notable contribution to science was his work on the ubiquitin-proteasome system, a process that cells use to degrade and recycle proteins. This system is crucial for maintaining the cell's health by removing damaged or unnecessary proteins. The discovery of this process has had significant implications for understanding diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Rose received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Personal Life

Irwin Rose was married to Zena Rose, and they had four children. He passed away on June 2, 2015, in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

Related Pages

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Ubiquitin
• Protein degradation
• Aaron Ciechanover
• Avram Hershko
• Fox Chase Cancer Center

‎