Bruce Ames
Encyclopedia
Bruce Nathan Ames is an American biochemist. He is a professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of California, Berkeley
, and a senior scientist at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute
(CHORI). He is the inventor of the Ames test
, a system for easily and cheaply testing the mutagenicity of compounds.
. He is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science
. His undergraduate studies were at Cornell University
in Ithaca, New York
, and his graduate studies were completed at the California Institute of Technology
.
Ames was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 1970.
He is a recipient of the Bolton S. Corson Medal in 1980, Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
in 1985, the Japan Prize
in 1997, the National Medal of Science
in 1998 and the Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal
in 2004, among many others.
His research focuses on cancer and aging and he has authored over 500 scientific publications. He is among the few hundred most-cited scientists in all fields.
Ames' current research includes identifying agents that delay the mitochondrial decay of aging, understanding the role of mitochondrial decay in aging, particularly in the brain, optimizing micronutrient intakes in the population to prevent disease, malnutrition, and obesity. He is also interested in mutagens as they relate to cancer prevention and aging.
However, Ames later took the contrary position to environmentalists and argued that environmental exposure to manufactured chemicals may be of limited relevance to human cancer, even when such chemicals are mutagenic in an Ames test and carcinogenic in rodent assays. He contended that most human genetic damage arises from the oxidation of DNA during normal metabolism, and that the most important environmental carcinogens may include some whose chief effect is to cause the chronic division of stem cells whereby the normal protective mechanisms of a cell become less effective.
He argued for the use of synthetic pesticides and other chemicals such as Alar
which have been shown to be carcinogenic. He was concerned that overzealous attention to the relatively minor health effects of trace quantities of carcinogens may divert scarce financial resources away from major health risks, and cause public confusion about the relative importance of different hazards. Ames considered himself a leading “contrarian in the hysteria over tiny traces of chemicals that may or may not cause cancer", and said that "if you have thousands of hypothetical risks that you are supposed to pay attention to, that completely drives out the major risks you should be aware of."
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, and a senior scientist at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute
Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute
Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute is a biomedical research institute affiliated with California’s pediatric medical center, Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland....
(CHORI). He is the inventor of the Ames test
Ames test
The Ames test is a biological assay to assess the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds. A positive test indicates that the chemical is mutagenic and therefore may act as a carcinogen, since cancer is often linked to mutation. However, a number of false-positives and false-negatives are known...
, a system for easily and cheaply testing the mutagenicity of compounds.
Biography
He was born and raised in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
. His undergraduate studies were at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, New York
The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...
, and his graduate studies were completed at the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
.
Ames was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 1970.
He is a recipient of the Bolton S. Corson Medal in 1980, Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement is an award for environmental science, environmental health and energy. Tyler Laureates receive a $200,000 annual prize and a gold medallion...
in 1985, the Japan Prize
Japan Prize
is awarded to people from all parts of the world whose "original and outstanding achievements in science and technology are recognized as having advanced the frontiers of knowledge and served the cause of peace and prosperity for mankind."- Explanation :...
in 1997, the National Medal of Science
National Medal of Science
The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
in 1998 and the Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal
Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal
The Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal is a medal awarded for lifetime contributions to the field of genetics. The medal is awarded by the Genetics Society of America.-Award recipients:* 1981 Barbara McClintock and Marcus M. Rhoades* 1982 Sewall Wright...
in 2004, among many others.
His research focuses on cancer and aging and he has authored over 500 scientific publications. He is among the few hundred most-cited scientists in all fields.
Ames' current research includes identifying agents that delay the mitochondrial decay of aging, understanding the role of mitochondrial decay in aging, particularly in the brain, optimizing micronutrient intakes in the population to prevent disease, malnutrition, and obesity. He is also interested in mutagens as they relate to cancer prevention and aging.
Ames on synthetic carcinogens
Bruce Ames developed the Ames test, described in series of papers in the 1970s, which is a cheap and convenient assay for mutagens and potential carcinogens. It is widely used as an initial screen for possible carcinogens and has been used to identified carcinogens previously used in commercial products, and their identification as carcinogens led to those products being withdrawn from commercial use. Carcinogenic tests using animals are expensive and time-consuming which made them impractical for use in screening on a wide scale. The ease with which Ames test allows widely-used chemicals to be identified as possible carcinogens made him an early hero of environmentalism.However, Ames later took the contrary position to environmentalists and argued that environmental exposure to manufactured chemicals may be of limited relevance to human cancer, even when such chemicals are mutagenic in an Ames test and carcinogenic in rodent assays. He contended that most human genetic damage arises from the oxidation of DNA during normal metabolism, and that the most important environmental carcinogens may include some whose chief effect is to cause the chronic division of stem cells whereby the normal protective mechanisms of a cell become less effective.
He argued for the use of synthetic pesticides and other chemicals such as Alar
Daminozide
Daminozide is a plant growth regulator, a chemical sprayed on fruit to regulate their growth, make their harvest easier, and enhance their color. First approved for use in the U.S. in 1963, it was primarily used on apples until 1989 when it was voluntarily withdrawn by the manufacturer after the U.S...
which have been shown to be carcinogenic. He was concerned that overzealous attention to the relatively minor health effects of trace quantities of carcinogens may divert scarce financial resources away from major health risks, and cause public confusion about the relative importance of different hazards. Ames considered himself a leading “contrarian in the hysteria over tiny traces of chemicals that may or may not cause cancer", and said that "if you have thousands of hypothetical risks that you are supposed to pay attention to, that completely drives out the major risks you should be aware of."
External links
- Bruce Ames official website. Scientific papers, lectures and other media available here.
- CHORI biography and information
- University of California biography
- Interview with Ames in Reason
- Radio interview with Ames on KQED Forum hosted by Michael Krazny
- Juvenon Cellular Health: Company created by Bruce Ames and UC Berkeley Scientists
- Bruce Ames video interview in short Juvenon documentary