Commemorating Britton Chance

Excerpt

Britton Chance excelled in research, at a remarkably high level, in areas spanning biochemistry, bioengineering, biology, biophysics, chemical enginerring, electrical engineering, medicine, and physics [1]. He was a pioneer in bioenergetics, redox biology, and in vivo NMR, and was also a founding father of in vivo biomedical optics. He also led the development of radar system in the Radiation Laboratory of MIT during the World War II. At the bench, Chance measured the enzymatic kinetics, experimentally demonstrated the formation of the Michaelis-Menten enzyme-substrate complex, and he and coworkers identified the release of hydrogen peroxide by mitochondrial respiratory chain. Moreover, he was an experimental pioneer in the study and elucidation of electron-tunneling phenomena in biological systems. Throughout the time, he and his coworkers and colleagues invented many of the instruments and techniques that are widely utilized to probe biology at sub-cellular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels. Lastly, he was a leader in the translation of basic technologies to diagnostic and treatment strategies in the clinic. Among these instruments and technologies are the dual-wavelength spectrometer, miniature stop-flow devices, the redox scanner, in vivo³¹P-MRS, time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), photon diffusion tomography, and functional NIRS. Additionally, some of his early work included the development of a mechanical computer for solving differential equations, and the essential input for the construction of logical circuits of the ENIAC, the first general purpose electronic computer. During his life, Chance was awarded many honors including the US National Medal of Science and memberships in six Academies of Science, but perhaps his 1952 Olympic gold medal in sailing was his most legendary award. He also trained many students and researchers all over the world and thus helped build today’s global research community that emphasizes research innovation, biomedical application, and clinical translation of new technologies. …