Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UC San Diego
Russell F. Doolittle (January 10, 1931 – October 11, 2019) was an American biochemist who taught at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Described as a "world-renowned evolutionary biologist",[1] Doolittle's research primarily focused on the structure and evolution of proteins.[2] Highlights of Doolittle's decades of research include his role in co-developing the hydropathy index and determining the structure of fibrinogen.
Doolittle was a critic of creationism[10] and intelligent design (ID), and accused Michael Behe, an ID proponent, of misquoting his work.[11] In 1981, Doolittle debated ID proponent Duane Gish on live television.[12] In 2016, three years before is death, Doolittle signed onto an open letter urging world leaders to take the threat of climate change seriously.[13]
Death and legacy
Doolittle died in La Jolla on October 11, 2019, at the age of 88.[14][15] Molecular biologist Kenneth R. Miller praised Doolittle's contributions to science, stating he regards Doolittle "as the very epitome of a humane life in science".[16]
Books
Russell F. Doolittle, Of Urfs and Orfs: A Primer on how to Analyze Derived Amino Acid Sequences. (University Science Books, December 1986) ISBN 0-935702-54-7
Russell F. Doolittle, John N. Abelson, and Melvin I. Simon, Computer Methods for Macromolecular Sequence Analysis (Methods in Enzymology) (Academic Press, 1996) ISBN 0-12-182167-6
Russell F. Doolittle, The Evolution of Vertebrate Blood Clotting (University Science Books, August 2012) ISBN 978-1-891389-81-8
John N. Abelson, Melvin I. Simon, and Russell F. Doolittle, Molecular Evolution: Computer Analysis of Protein and Nucleic Acid Sequences, Volume 183: Volume 183: Molecular Evolution (Methods in Enzymology) (Academic Press, Feb 28, 1990) ISBN 0-12-182084-X
Mosesson, Michael W. and Doolittle, Russell F. Molecular biology of fibrinogen and fibrin (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences) (New York Academy of Sciences, 1983) ISBN 0-89766-209-1
References
^Fogg, Christiana; Kovats, Diane; Vingron, Martin (4 August 2021). "ISCB Honors 2021 Award Recipients Peer Bork, Barbara Engelhardt, Ben Raphael, Teresa Attwood". Bioinformatics. 37 (Supplement_1): i1–i6. doi:10.1093/bioinformatics/btab383. PMC 8275334.
^"In Memoriam: Russell Doolittle, 1931-2019". biology.ucsd.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
^Doolittle, Russell (2008). "Biography of Dr Doolittle" (PDF). University of California, San Diego. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
^"Russell F. Doolittle". www.nasonline.org. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
^"Book of Members, 1780-2010: Chapter D" (PDF). American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
^"APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
^Menon, Shanti (June 1996). "A new tree of life - Russell Doolittle calculates a new, more recent date for the divergence of all life forms from a common ancestor". Discover. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
^"John J. Carty Award for the Advancement of Science". National Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
^Russell Doolittle, "The Probability and Origin of Life" in Scientists Confront Creationism (1984) Ed. Laurie R. Godfrey, p. 85
^Doolittle, Russell (February–March 1997). "A Delicate Balance". Boston Review. Archived from the original on 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
^"Russell Doolittle dies | National Center for Science Education". ncse.ngo. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
^"An Open Letter Regarding Climate Change From Concerned Members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences | Earth Research Institute". www.eri.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
^"Doolittle Announcement". University of California San Diego Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry NewsNews. University of California San Diego. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
^"In Memoriam: Russell Doolittle, 1931-2019". biology.ucsd.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
^Farrell, John. "The Achievement Of Russell Doolittle". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
External links
Russell Doolittle Biochemistry Laboratory Records MSS 77. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
40/40 Vision: Russell Doolittle - The Revolution of Biology from UC Television (UCTV) (Video of lecture tracing DNA from our closest to most distant ancestors)