LEXINGTON, Ky. , Nov. 2, 2024 — The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) is pleased to announce the selection of David Deamer, Ph.D., Research Professor of Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz as the next recipient of the ABRF Award for Outstanding Contributions to Biomolecular Technologies.
Throughout his scientific career, Deamer has dedicated himself to the study of biological and synthetic membranes. In 1989, Deamer proposed the possibility of sequencing a DNA molecule by passing it through a nanoscopic pore embedded within a lipid bilayer membrane. In 1996, Deamer, Daniel Branton, (Harvard University), and John Kasianowitz (NIST) successfully demonstrated the viability of this concept. Collaborative research with Mark Akeson at UC Santa Cruz provided proof of principle in 1999, showing that a nanopore could differentiate between sequences of adenine and cytosine in RNA molecules. Oxford Nanopore Technology, established in the UK in 2005, has developed and disseminated various devices incorporating nanopore sequencing concepts. Deamer was recognized as a member of the National Academy of Inventors in 2023. That same year, Deamer, Branton, and Akeson were honored with the Golden Goose Award at a ceremony in Washington DC. This prestigious award acknowledges research initially met with skepticism but subsequently yielded significant societal impact.
ABRF Past President and Award Committee Chair Rich Cole, affiliated with the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center, highlighted Deamer’s significant contributions:
“Core facilities serve as the cornerstone of modern research, providing access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise. They expedite scientific discovery by fostering collaboration, enhancing reproducibility, and optimizing resource utilization. Deamer leverages two core facilities to support his research, both focused on nanopore sequencing of DNA. One of these is a nanopore sequencing center established by Professor Karen Miga, a member of the Biomolecular Engineering faculty at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The center is equipped with a PromethION instrument capable of sequencing a human genome within five hours. The other core facility he utilizes is the Wasatch Biolab (WBL) in Heber, Utah. WBL also employs a PromethION to provide nanopore sequencing services to the research community.
The ABRF Award, the association’s highest scientific honor, has been presented to a distinguished group of researchers and innovators since 1994, including several Nobel Prize recipients.
Dr. Deamer will formally receive the Award at the ABRF Annual Meeting, March 23-26, in Las Vegas.
For further information about ABRF, please visit the ABRF website.
Provided by Newswise, online resource for knowledge-based news at
Media Contacts: Ken Schoppmann
Executive Director
Phone: 8595149835
Contact:
SOURCE Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF)