Stanley Cohen

Stanley Cohen was born on November 17, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrant parents from Russia. Growing up in an ethnically diverse neighborhood, Cohen showed early interest in biology and pursued it throughout his education. He attended Brooklyn College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and later pursued graduate studies in zoology at the University of Michigan, where he obtained his Master’s degree. Eventually, Cohen earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Michigan, setting the stage for his illustrious career.

In June 1952, Stanley Cohen completed his Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Michigan. His research focused on metabolic metabolism, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors in cellular growth factors. Cohen's academic journey during this time helped him develop a keen understanding of biochemistry and experimental techniques, which he later applied in his groundbreaking research on nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF).

In 1953, Stanley Cohen began collaborating with Rita Levi-Montalcini at Washington University in St. Louis. Their work primarily focused on nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein involved in the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells. Cohen's collaboration with Levi-Montalcini was pivotal in isolating and understanding the mechanisms of NGF, which played a crucial role in subsequent research on cell growth and development. This partnership was instrumental in both scientists receiving the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986.

In 1960, Stanley Cohen discovered the epidermal growth factor (EGF) while working in the lab at Vanderbilt University. His discovery was monumental in the field of cell biology and medicine, as EGF is crucial in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Understanding EGF's role has significantly advanced the knowledge of how cells communicate and respond to their environment. Cohen’s isolation and characterization of EGF laid the foundation for medical advances in wound healing, cancer treatment, and developmental biology.

Stanley Cohen, along with his collaborator Rita Levi-Montalcini, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 for their discoveries of growth factors. Cohen was recognized for his discovery and exploration of epidermal growth factor (EGF), while Levi-Montalcini was honored for her work on nerve growth factor (NGF). The Nobel Committee acknowledged how their discoveries greatly enhanced the understanding of growth and differentiation in cells, providing insights that were crucial for advances in medical treatments and biotechnology.

Stanley Cohen retired from active research in September 2000 after a highly distinguished career in biochemistry and molecular biology. During his career, Cohen made seminal discoveries in the field of growth factors, pioneered new methodologies in protein chemistry, and trained numerous students who would go on to become leaders in science. Though retired, Cohen's contributions continued to influence the fields of developmental biology and cancer research, as his work laid the groundwork for the development of therapies targeting growth factor pathways.

Stanley Cohen passed away on February 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 91. His death marked the end of an era in biochemistry, in which Cohen’s research significantly advanced the understanding of cell communication and growth factors. His work not only earned him the Nobel Prize but also established new pathways in scientific inquiry that paved the way for the development of novel therapies against diseases such as cancer. Cohen’s contributions have left a lasting impact on both the scientific community and medical practices.