Peter Dervan

Peter B. Dervan 2017 DSC8599

Peter Dervan is an American chemist known for his pioneering research in the field of bioorganic chemistry. He is particularly recognized for his work on the sequence-specific recognition of DNA by small molecules, which has significant implications for molecular biology and medicine.

Early Life and Education

Peter Dervan was born on June 28, 1945, in Boston, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Boston College in 1967. He then pursued his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Yale University, where he worked under the supervision of Jerome A. Berson. Dervan completed his doctoral studies in 1972.

Academic Career

After completing his Ph.D., Dervan joined the faculty at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1973. He has held various academic positions at Caltech, including the Bren Professor of Chemistry. Dervan's research has focused on the development of synthetic molecules that can bind to specific sequences of DNA, which has potential applications in gene therapy and the treatment of genetic disorders.

Research Contributions

Dervan's most notable contributions are in the area of DNA recognition. He developed a class of molecules known as polyamides that can bind to the minor groove of DNA in a sequence-specific manner. This work has provided a foundation for the design of molecules that can regulate gene expression by targeting specific DNA sequences.

Polyamide-DNA Recognition

Polyamides are synthetic molecules that can be designed to recognize and bind to specific sequences of DNA. Dervan's research demonstrated that these molecules could be used to modulate gene expression, offering a potential therapeutic approach for diseases caused by genetic mutations.

Impact on Molecular Biology

Dervan's work has had a profound impact on the field of molecular biology. By providing tools for the sequence-specific recognition of DNA, his research has enabled scientists to better understand the mechanisms of gene regulation and has opened new avenues for the development of targeted therapies.

Awards and Honors

Peter Dervan has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to chemistry and molecular biology. Some of these include:

• The National Medal of Science (2006)
• The Arthur C. Cope Award from the American Chemical Society (1993)
• Membership in the National Academy of Sciences
• Fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Personal Life

Peter Dervan is married to Jacqueline Barton, who is also a renowned chemist and a professor at Caltech. They have collaborated on several research projects and have made significant contributions to the field of chemistry.

See Also

• Bioorganic chemistry
• DNA
• Gene therapy
• Molecular biology
• Polyamides