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Bernard L. Strehler

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Bernard L. Strehler
Born1925
Died2001
OccupationBiogerontologist

Bernard Strehler (1925–2001) was an early biogerontologist. He published the book Time, Cells, and Aging.

In 1949, he first purified firefly luciferin,[1] which gives off light after being combined with ATP, magnesium ion, oxygen, and firefly luciferase. In 1956, he switched to the field of aging. He joined the faculty of the University of Southern California as a professor of biology and director of biological research at the USC Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center.[2][3]

Biography

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Strehler studied biology at Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated in 1947. Three years later, he also received his doctorate there. He then worked at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. He identified luciferin, the luminescent substance of various beetle species, which he isolated from thousands of fireflies.[4][5] Together with William Arnold, Strehler discovered that all green plants are bioluminescent as a result of the reversal of the first enzymatic step of photosynthesis. In 1952, he discovered that plants build up adenosine triphosphate in the chloroplasts under the influence of light.[6][7]

Strehler later became assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Chicago. In 1956 he went to the National Institutes of Health, where he worked at the Gerontology Centre in Baltimore. The University of Southern California (USC) appointed him Professor of Biology in 1967. He remained at USC until his retirement in 1990. From 1960 onwards, Strehler devoted himself primarily to biogerontological topics. He noticed that the loss in human cells is seven times slower than in cells from domestic dogs. The factor seven is also found in the two maximum life spans of both species.[8][9][10]

Strehler was regarded as one of the most prominent gerontologists of his time. He has over 250 publications. He died of a stroke in a nursing home. He left behind two daughters and a son. His wife Theodora died three years before him.[11][12]

Bibliography

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References

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  1. ^ Strehler, Bernard L.; McElroy, William D. (1949). "Purification of firefly luciferin". Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology. 34 (3): 457–466. doi:10.1002/jcp.1030340310. ISSN 0095-9898.
  2. ^ "Obituary: Bernard Strehler, pioneering biogerontologist, 76". Https. 10 June 2001. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  3. ^ "Bernard Strehler, 76 - Studied the Causes of Aging". The New York Times. June 17, 2001. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  4. ^ W. D. McElroy und B. L. Strehler: Factors influencing the response of the bioluminescent reaction to adenosine triphosphate. In: Arch Biochem. 22, 1949, S. 420–433. PMID 18134550
  5. ^ W. D. McElroy und B. L. Strehler: Purification of firefly luciferin. In: J Cell Physiol. 34, 1949, S. 457–466. PMID 15406363
  6. ^ B. L. Strehler: The luminescence of isolated chloroplasts. In: Arch Biochem. 34, 1951, S. 239–248. PMID 14904058
  7. ^ B. L. Strehler: The isolation and properties of firefly luciferesceine. In: Arch Biochem. 32, 1951, S. 397–406. PMID 14857762
  8. ^ B. L. Strehler und M. P. Chang: Loss of hybridizable ribosomal DNA from human post-mitotic tissues during aging: II. Age-dependent loss in human cerebral cortex--hippocampal and somatosensory cortex comparison. In: Mech Ageing Dev. 11, 1979, S. 379–382. PMID 529838
  9. ^ B. L. Strehler u. a.: Loss of hybridizable ribosomal DNA from human post-mitotic tissues during aging: I. Age-dependent loss in human myocardium. In: Mech Ageing Dev. 11, 1979, S. 371–378. PMID 529837
  10. ^ R. Johnson und B. L. Strehler: Loss of genes coding for ribosomal RNA in ageing brain cells. In: Nature. 240, 1972, S. 412–414. PMID 4564320
  11. ^ Obituary for Bernard Strehler, USC Professor of Biology; Studied Aging. Abgerufen am 14. September 2010
  12. ^ L. S. Coles: The life and contributions of Professor Bernard L. Strehler, founding editor-in-chief of mechanisms of ageing and development, professor of biology at the University of Southern California (February 21, 1925-May 13, 2001). In: Mech Ageing Dev. 123, 2002, S. 821–825. PMID 12044929
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