Stephen C. Harrison

Professor Stephen Harrison ForMemRS

Stephen C. Harrison is a prominent American structural biologist and biophysicist. He is known for his significant contributions to the field of crystallography and the study of protein structures. Harrison's work has had a profound impact on the understanding of viruses and cellular mechanisms.

Early Life and Education

Stephen C. Harrison was born in the United States. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where he developed an interest in biophysics. Harrison went on to earn his Ph.D. in biophysics from Harvard University.

Career

Harrison began his academic career as a faculty member at Harvard University, where he has held various positions over the years. He is currently a Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Research Contributions

Harrison's research has focused on the structural analysis of proteins and nucleic acids. He has made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of virus structure, particularly in understanding the mechanisms of viral entry into host cells. His work on the structure of the influenza virus hemagglutinin and the HIV envelope glycoprotein has been particularly influential.

Crystallography

Harrison has utilized X-ray crystallography to determine the three-dimensional structures of various biological macromolecules. His studies have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of protein-protein interactions and protein-DNA interactions.

Viral Research

One of Harrison's notable achievements is the elucidation of the structure of the influenza virus hemagglutinin, which plays a crucial role in the virus's ability to infect host cells. This work has implications for the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines.

Awards and Honors

Stephen C. Harrison has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to structural biology and biophysics. Some of these include:

• The Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize
• The Gairdner Foundation International Award
• Membership in the National Academy of Sciences

Personal Life

Harrison is married and has children. He continues to be actively involved in research and mentoring young scientists.

See Also

• Structural biology
• Crystallography
• Virus
• Protein structure
• Harvard University
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute