William Jencks

Portrait of William Jencks

William P. Jencks (August 15, 1927 – January 3, 2007) was an American biochemist known for his pioneering work in the field of enzymology. His research significantly advanced the understanding of enzyme mechanisms and catalysis.

Early Life and Education

William Jencks was born in Bar Harbor, Maine. He attended Harvard University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1947. He then pursued a medical degree at Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1951. Following his medical training, Jencks completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Career and Research

Jencks began his academic career at the National Institutes of Health before moving to Brandeis University in 1957, where he spent the majority of his career. At Brandeis, he served as a professor of biochemistry and conducted groundbreaking research on enzyme mechanisms.

Enzyme Catalysis

Jencks is best known for his work on the mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. He developed several key concepts that have become fundamental to the field, including the idea of transition state stabilization and the use of kinetic isotope effects to study enzyme reactions. His book, Catalysis in Chemistry and Enzymology, published in 1969, is considered a seminal work in the field.

Transition State Theory

One of Jencks' major contributions was his work on transition state theory. He proposed that enzymes accelerate chemical reactions by stabilizing the transition state, thereby lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. This concept has been crucial in the development of enzyme inhibitors and the design of drugs.

Kinetic Isotope Effects

Jencks also utilized kinetic isotope effects to investigate enzyme mechanisms. By substituting atoms in a molecule with their isotopes, he was able to gain insights into the steps of enzyme-catalyzed reactions and the nature of the transition states.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Jencks received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to biochemistry. These include the American Chemical Society's Pauling Medal and the National Academy of Sciences membership. He was also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Personal Life

William Jencks was married and had three children. He was known for his dedication to teaching and mentoring young scientists, many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions to the field of biochemistry.

Legacy

Jencks' work has had a lasting impact on the field of biochemistry, particularly in the understanding of enzyme mechanisms. His concepts and methodologies continue to influence research in enzymology and drug design.

See Also

• Enzyme
• Catalysis
• Transition state theory
• Kinetic isotope effect
• Brandeis University
• National Institutes of Health