Nathan Kaplan, Biochemist, Dies : Scientist Developed Mice Colony for Cancer Research
Nathan Kaplan, whose work in developing a colony of hairless mice at UC San Diego helped advance cancer research, died Tuesday at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, a university spokeswoman said. He was 68.
UCSD officials said Kaplan will be remembered as a man whose career added measurably to the school’s science and research programs.
“Dr. Kaplan was a great scientist, educator and contributor to the biochemistry profession,” Edward Dennis, department of chemistry vice chairman, said in a prepared statement. “His loyalty to students and colleagues will be especially remembered.”
Mark Green, director of the UCSD cancer center, added: “His wisdom and warmth will be sorely missed.”
Kaplan joined UCSD in 1968, serving as a biochemistry professor and chairman of the graduate biochemistry department. Among his work was research into the structure and function of interferon, a cellular protein, and the process by which normal blood cells become cancerous.
One of Kaplan’s most important achievements was in creating the mice colony. The mice are descendants of ordinary laboratory animals, but their bodies are unable to recognize and reject foreign material grafted onto or injected into them.
As a result, scientists are able to study the effects anti-cancer drugs have on live tumors, and study the workings of a human cancer growth. When developed, the mice colony was one of a handful in the world.
Kaplan was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Chemical Society.
He served as associate director for basic sciences at the UCSD Cancer Center. Other achievements include creation of a 124-volume scientific research series called, “Methods of Enzymology.”
Kaplan is survived by his wife Goldie, son Jerold and brother Oscar, all of San Diego.
Funeral services are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at La Jolla Congregation Beth El, 8660 Gilman Drive. Contributions can be made to the Nathan O. Kaplan Foundation, in care of the UCSD Foundation.
