Roger Y. Tsien

Krugman-Tsien-Chalfie-Shimomura-Kobayashi-Masukawa-press conference Dec 07th, 2008-1

GFP Fluorescent Protein Movie

Roger Y. Tsien (February 1, 1952 – August 24, 2016) was an American biochemist, chemist, and Nobel laureate renowned for his pioneering work in the field of fluorescence and green fluorescent protein (GFP). His groundbreaking research has had a profound impact on molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry, enabling scientists to visualize and track the behavior of molecules in living cells in real time.

Early Life and Education

Roger Y. Tsien was born in New York City, New York, to a talented family of engineers and scientists. He demonstrated an early interest in chemistry, conducting experiments in a home laboratory his parents helped him set up. Tsien excelled academically, entering Harvard University at the age of 16. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and physics in 1972. Tsien then went on to earn his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Cambridge in 1977, where he was a member of Gonville and Caius College and worked under the guidance of Nobel laureate Richard Henderson.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Tsien conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge and later joined the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1989, he moved to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he spent the majority of his career. Tsien's research focused on the design and use of fluorescent probes to visualize and understand biological processes. One of his most significant contributions was the development of fluorescent proteins, including variants of the green fluorescent protein (GFP), which have become indispensable tools in biological and medical research.

Tsien's work on GFP and its colorful variants revolutionized the way scientists study the functions of proteins, track the development of cells, and observe the spread of diseases within living organisms. His innovations have facilitated new discoveries in neuroscience, developmental biology, and the understanding of cancer and other diseases.

Nobel Prize

In 2008, Roger Y. Tsien was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Osamu Shimomura and Martin Chalfie for their discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP. This award recognized their collective contributions to the advancement of science and medicine through the use of fluorescent proteins.

Legacy

Roger Y. Tsien's legacy is marked by his profound impact on the scientific community, particularly in the fields of cell biology and biochemistry. His work has paved the way for numerous scientific discoveries and has been instrumental in the development of new techniques for imaging and analyzing biological processes. Tsien's contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, in addition to the Nobel Prize.

Tsien was also dedicated to education and mentorship, inspiring the next generation of scientists through his teaching and research. His passion for science and innovation continues to influence researchers around the world.

Death

Roger Y. Tsien passed away on August 24, 2016, in Eugene, Oregon. His death was a significant loss to the scientific community, but his legacy lives on through his contributions to science and his influence on fellow researchers and students.