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Bio
Cyrus Levinthal
Wikepedia & Columbia University
Wikepedia & Columbia University
Cyrus Levinthal
(May 2, 1922 – November 4, 1990) was an American molecular biologist.
Biography
Levinthal graduated with a Ph.D. in physics from University of California, Berkeley and taught physics at the University of Michigan for seven years before moving to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1957. In 1968 he joined Columbia University as the Chairman and from 1969 Professor of the newly established Department of Biological Sciences, where he remained until his death from lung cancer in 1990.
Research
While at MIT Levinthal made significant discoveries in molecular genetics relating to the mechanisms of DNA replication, the relationship between genes and proteins, and the nature of messenger RNA.
At Columbia Levinthal applied computers to the 3-dimensional imaging of biological structures such as proteins. He is considered the father of computer graphical display of protein structure.
Columbia University
Cyrus Levinthal was a Professor of Biological Sciences at Columbia from 1968 until his death in 1990. During his 50 years in science he made many contributions of impact, contributions that spanned several different areas of biology, and whose sum reflects an outstanding career. In addition to his scholarship, Levinthal made a key contribution to the University in 1968 by bringing the revolution in molecular biology to the Morningside campus.
Prof. Levinthal came to Columbia in 1968 after having made important discoveries in molecular genetics at MIT. These included mechanisms of DNA replication, the relationship between genes and proteins, and the nature of messenger RNA. His work at Columbia from 1968 until his death in 1990 focused on the application of computers to 3-dimensional imaging of two types of biological structures. These structures were diverse: folded protein molecules on the one hand and cell connectivity in the developing nervous system on the other. He was a true pioneer in both areas; indeed, he could be considered the father of computer graphical display of protein structure that is commonplace today. His early efforts laid the groundwork for today’s continuing study of these two fundamental biological structures.