Jane S. Richardson

Jane S Richardson BW photo 2002

Jane S. Richardson is an American biophysicist and biochemist renowned for her pioneering work in the field of protein structure. She is best known for her development of the ribbon diagrams, a method for representing the 3D structures of proteins.

Early Life and Education

Jane S. Richardson was born in Teaneck, New Jersey. She attended Swarthmore College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1962. She later pursued graduate studies in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Career

Richardson's career in biophysics began when she joined the laboratory of David C. Richardson at Duke University. Together, they made significant contributions to the understanding of protein structures. Jane Richardson's most notable achievement is the creation of ribbon diagrams, which have become a standard tool in the field of structural biology.

Ribbon Diagrams

Ribbon diagrams, also known as Richardson diagrams, are a method for visualizing the 3D structure of proteins. These diagrams use ribbons to represent the alpha helices and beta sheets of proteins, providing a clear and intuitive way to understand protein folding and function. This innovation has had a profound impact on the field of molecular biology and has been widely adopted in scientific research and education.

Awards and Honors

Jane S. Richardson has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She has also been recognized with the Protein Society's Stein and Moore Award.

Personal Life

Jane S. Richardson is married to David C. Richardson, with whom she has collaborated extensively in her research. They have two children.

See Also

• Protein structure
• Structural biology
• Molecular biology
• Biophysics
• Biochemistry