Paul L. Modrich

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Paul L. Modrich 0116

American biochemist

Paul L. Modrich

Born	June 13, 1946
Birth place	Raton, New Mexico, United States
Nationality	American
Known for	DNA mismatch repair
Awards	Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2015)

Paul Lawrence Modrich (born June 13, 1946) is an American biochemist known for his research on DNA mismatch repair. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015, along with Tomas Lindahl and Aziz Sancar, for their mechanistic studies of DNA repair.

Early life and education

Paul L. Modrich was born in Raton, New Mexico. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1968. He then pursued his Ph.D. at Stanford University, working under the supervision of Robert Lehman. His doctoral research focused on the mechanisms of DNA replication.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Modrich conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University before joining the faculty at Duke University in 1976. At Duke, he has held various positions, including James B. Duke Professor of Biochemistry.

Research

Modrich's research has significantly advanced the understanding of DNA mismatch repair, a crucial process that corrects errors that occur during DNA replication. His work has elucidated the molecular mechanisms by which cells maintain genetic stability, preventing mutations that could lead to cancer and other diseases.

Awards and honors

In recognition of his contributions to the field of biochemistry, Modrich has received numerous awards, including:

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2015)
• Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research (2010)
• Gairdner Foundation International Award (2015)

Personal life

Modrich is married to fellow scientist Vickers Burdett, and they have one child. He continues to be active in research and mentoring young scientists.

See also

• DNA repair
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Duke University