Memories of microbes and metabolism

• Published in: Annual review of nutrition Vol. 17; pp. 1 - 18
• Main Author: Broquist, H.P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto, CA Annual Reviews 1997; Annual Reviews, Inc
• Subjects: ACIDE FOLIQUE; ACIDO FOLICO; ALCALOIDE; ALCALOIDES; ALKALOIDS; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Bacteria - metabolism; BIOGRAFIAS; BIOGRAPHIE; BIOGRAPHIES; Biological and medical sciences; BIOSINTESIS; BIOSYNTHESE; BIOSYNTHESIS; Broquist; Broquist HP; Careers; CARNITINA; CARNITINE; COENZIMAS; COENZYME; COENZYMES; Colleges & universities; COMPLEXE VITAMINIQUE B; DRUG THERAPY; FISIOLOGIA DE LA NUTRICION; FOLIC ACID; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General and theoretical biochemistry; HISTOIRE; HISTORIA; HISTORY; History of medicine; History, 20th Century; HUMAN NUTRITION; Humans; INDOL; INDOLES; INVESTIGACION; LISINA; LYSINE; Lysine - metabolism; METABOLISM; METABOLISME; METABOLISMO; NEOPLASMAS; NEOPLASME; NEOPLASMS; NUTRICION HUMANA; NUTRITION HUMAINE; NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGY; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; PHYSIOLOGIE DE LA NUTRITION; RECHERCHE; STRUCTURE ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS; TERAPEUTICA MEDICAMENTOSA; THERAPEUTIQUE MEDICAMENTEUSE; United States; VITAMINAS B; Vitamins; VITAMINS B; Yeasts - metabolism; United States; Lysine; Aminoacid; Vitamin; Biography; B-Vitamins; Microorganism; Metabolism; Folic acid; Career
• ISSN: 0199-9885; 1545-4312
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev.nutr.17.1.1

As Jackie Gleason was wont to say: "How sweet it really is!" And--reflecting on the 1940s-1980s, when studies of microbial nutrition revealed exciting structure-function relationships of the B-complex vitamins with relevance to metabolism in humans--it really is. A chemistry degree from Beloit College and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin set the stage for my life's work at Lederle Laboratories, the University of Illinois, and Vanderbilt University. At Lederle my research contributed to folic acid chemistry: coenzyme forms and function; antimetabolites and cancer chemotherapy. My subsequent university studies centered on lysine biosynthesis and metabolism, e.g. its precursor role in carnitine and in indolizidine alkaloids of physiological interest. There were also many opportunities to reach out and give something back to the system via teaching and diverse service activities, all of which has led to a happy, fulfilling career, one for which I am ever thankful