Nathan O. Kaplan

Nathan O. Kaplan (June 25, 1917 – April 15, 1986) was an American biochemist known for his significant contributions to the field of enzymology. He was a professor at the University of California, San Diego and made substantial advancements in the understanding of enzyme mechanisms and metabolic pathways.

Early Life and Education

Nathan Oram Kaplan was born on June 25, 1917, in New York City. He completed his undergraduate studies at City College of New York and later earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in 1940.

Career

Kaplan began his career as a research associate at Harvard University, where he worked with Fritz Lipmann, a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine. During his tenure at Harvard, Kaplan made significant contributions to the understanding of coenzyme A and its role in metabolism.

In 1960, Kaplan joined the faculty of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he continued his research on enzymes. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Department of Chemistry at UCSD and served as its first chair.

Research Contributions

Kaplan's research focused on the study of dehydrogenases, particularly lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase. He developed methods for the purification and characterization of these enzymes, which were crucial for understanding their role in cellular respiration and energy production.

One of Kaplan's notable achievements was his work on the Warburg effect, which describes the preference of cancer cells for glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation even in the presence of oxygen. His research provided insights into the metabolic alterations in cancer cells and contributed to the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Kaplan received numerous awards and honors, including:

• The American Chemical Society's Paul-Lewis Award in Enzyme Chemistry (1953)
• Election to the National Academy of Sciences (1966)
• The Guggenheim Fellowship (1970)

Personal Life

Kaplan was married to Ruth Kaplan, and they had three children. He passed away on April 15, 1986, in La Jolla, California.

Legacy

Nathan O. Kaplan's work has had a lasting impact on the field of biochemistry, particularly in the study of enzymes and metabolic pathways. His contributions continue to influence research in cancer metabolism and enzyme kinetics.

See Also

• Enzyme
• Metabolism
• University of California, San Diego
• Warburg effect