Profile of Christian R. H. Raetz

Zagorski, Nick

doi:10.1073/pnas.0709236104

“…He was indeed successful in finding a powerful inhibitor of LpxC (15), which showed reasonable activity against intact E. coli cells but not against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chris, in an interview published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (41), stated that this lack of activity against important pathogens led to his leaving Merck and resuming an academic career at Duke. Chris maintained his interest in LpxC inhibitors and characterized in detail CHIR-090, an agent Chiron (42) had identified, with a strong anti-P. aeruginosa activity presumably owing to the compound's exceptionally high affinity for LpxC.…”

Section: The Raetz Pathway For Lipid a Biosynthesis: Hiroshi Nikaidomentioning

confidence: 99%

Christian Raetz: Scientist and Friend Extraordinaire

Dowhan

¹

,

Nikaido²,

Stubbe³

et al. 2013

Annu. Rev. Biochem.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Chris Raetz passed away on August 16, 2011, still at the height of his productive years. His seminal contributions to biomedical research were in the genetics, biochemistry, and structural biology of phospholipid and lipid A biosynthesis in Escherichia coli and other gram-negative bacteria. He defined the catalytic properties and structures of many of the enzymes responsible for the "Raetz pathway for lipid A biosynthesis." His deep understanding of chemistry, coupled with knowledge of medicine, biochemistry, genetics, and structural biology, formed the underpinnings for his contributions to the lipid field. He displayed an intense passion for science and a broad interest that came from a strong commitment to curiosity-driven research, a commitment he imparted to his mentees and colleagues. What follows is a testament to both Chris's science and humanity from his friends and colleagues.

show abstract

“…He was indeed successful in finding a powerful inhibitor of LpxC (15), which showed reasonable activity against intact E. coli cells but not against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chris, in an interview published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (41), stated that this lack of activity against important pathogens led to his leaving Merck and resuming an academic career at Duke. Chris maintained his interest in LpxC inhibitors and characterized in detail CHIR-090, an agent Chiron (42) had identified, with a strong anti-P. aeruginosa activity presumably owing to the compound's exceptionally high affinity for LpxC.…”

Section: The Raetz Pathway For Lipid a Biosynthesis: Hiroshi Nikaidomentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2013

Annu. Rev. Biochem.

2

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Chris Raetz passed away on August 16, 2011, still at the height of his productive years. His seminal contributions to biomedical research were in the genetics, biochemistry, and structural biology of phospholipid and lipid A biosynthesis in Escherichia coli and other gram-negative bacteria. He defined the catalytic properties and structures of many of the enzymes responsible for the "Raetz pathway for lipid A biosynthesis." His deep understanding of chemistry, coupled with knowledge of medicine, biochemistry, genetics, and structural biology, formed the underpinnings for his contributions to the lipid field. He displayed an intense passion for science and a broad interest that came from a strong commitment to curiosity-driven research, a commitment he imparted to his mentees and colleagues. What follows is a testament to both Chris's science and humanity from his friends and colleagues.

show abstract