Dean Burk
Encyclopedia
Dean Burk was an American biochemist: a co-discoverer of biotin
, medical researcher, and a cancer researcher at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute
and the National Cancer Institute
. In 1934, he developed the Lineweaver–Burk plot together with Hans Lineweaver
.
Dean was the second of four sons born to Frederic Burk, the founder of the San Francisco Normal School, a preparatory school for teachers which eventually became San Francisco State University
. He entered the University of California at Davis at the age of 15. A year later, he transferred to the University of California at Berkeley, where he received his B.S. in Entomology
in 1923. Four years later he earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry.
medical school from 1939 to 1941. He was a research master at George Washington University. Burk was a close friend and co-author with Otto Heinrich Warburg
. He was a co-developer of the prototype of the Magnetic Resonance Scanner and a co-discoverer of biotin. Burk published more than 250 scientific articles in his lifetime. He later became head of the National Cancer Institute's Cytochemistry Sector in 1938, although he is often mistaken as leading the entire facility.
. According to Burk "fluoridation is a form of public mass murder." Dean Burk argued against water fluoridation proposal before the Dutch Parliament in the Netherlands. Dean Burk also published on alternative cancer treatments, notably laetrile, which was considered quackery
already in the 1970s.
, Dean Burk received the Hillebrand Prize in 1952. Dean Burk and Otto Heinrich Warburg
discovered the photosynthesis I-quantum reaction that splits CO2 activated by respiration.
For his techniques to distinguish between normal cells and those damaged by cancer, Dean Burk was awarded the Gerhard Domagk Prize in 1965.
Biotin
Biotin, also known as Vitamin H or Coenzyme R, is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin discovered by Bateman in 1916. It is composed of a ureido ring fused with a tetrahydrothiophene ring. A valeric acid substituent is attached to one of the carbon atoms of the tetrahydrothiophene ring...
, medical researcher, and a cancer researcher at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute
Kaiser Wilhelm Institute
The Kaiser Wilhelm Society for the Advancement of Science was a German scientific institution established in 1911. It was implicated in Nazi science, and after the Second World War was wound up and its functions replaced by the Max Planck Society...
and the National Cancer Institute
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health , which is one of 11 agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NCI coordinates the U.S...
. In 1934, he developed the Lineweaver–Burk plot together with Hans Lineweaver
Hans Lineweaver
Hans Lineweaver was an American Physical Chemist, who developed the Lineweaver–Burk plot. The paper containing the equation, also known as the Double Reciprocal Plot, was co-authored by Dr. Dean Burk, and was entitled "The Determination of Enzyme Dissociation Constants "...
.
Dean was the second of four sons born to Frederic Burk, the founder of the San Francisco Normal School, a preparatory school for teachers which eventually became San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
. He entered the University of California at Davis at the age of 15. A year later, he transferred to the University of California at Berkeley, where he received his B.S. in Entomology
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
in 1923. Four years later he earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry.
Professional career
Burk joined the Department of Agriculture in 1929 working in the Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory. In 1939, he joined the Cancer Institute as a senior chemist. He was head of the cytochemistry laboratory when he retired in 1974. He also taught biochemistry at the Cornell UniversityCornell 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...
medical school from 1939 to 1941. He was a research master at George Washington University. Burk was a close friend and co-author with Otto Heinrich Warburg
Otto Heinrich Warburg
Otto Heinrich Warburg , son of physicist Emil Warburg, was a German physiologist, medical doctor and Nobel laureate. He served as an officer in the elite Uhlan during the First World War and won the Iron Cross for bravery. Warburg was one of the twentieth century's leading biochemists...
. He was a co-developer of the prototype of the Magnetic Resonance Scanner and a co-discoverer of biotin. Burk published more than 250 scientific articles in his lifetime. He later became head of the National Cancer Institute's Cytochemistry Sector in 1938, although he is often mistaken as leading the entire facility.
Retirement
After retiring form the NCI in 1974 Dean Burk remained active. He devoted himself to his opposition to water fluoridationWater fluoridation
Water fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride to a public water supply to reduce tooth decay. Fluoridated water has fluoride at a level that is effective for preventing cavities; this can occur naturally or by adding fluoride...
. According to Burk "fluoridation is a form of public mass murder." Dean Burk argued against water fluoridation proposal before the Dutch Parliament in the Netherlands. Dean Burk also published on alternative cancer treatments, notably laetrile, which was considered quackery
Quackery
Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe the promotion of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or...
already in the 1970s.
Recognition
For his work on photosynthesisPhotosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in archaea. Photosynthetic organisms are called photoautotrophs, since they can...
, Dean Burk received the Hillebrand Prize in 1952. Dean Burk and Otto Heinrich Warburg
Otto Heinrich Warburg
Otto Heinrich Warburg , son of physicist Emil Warburg, was a German physiologist, medical doctor and Nobel laureate. He served as an officer in the elite Uhlan during the First World War and won the Iron Cross for bravery. Warburg was one of the twentieth century's leading biochemists...
discovered the photosynthesis I-quantum reaction that splits CO2 activated by respiration.
For his techniques to distinguish between normal cells and those damaged by cancer, Dean Burk was awarded the Gerhard Domagk Prize in 1965.