Christopher Chetsanga
| Christopher J Chestanga | |
|---|---|
| Born |
22 August 1935 Murehwa, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) |
| Residence | Zimbabwe |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Fields | Biochemistry, Molecular Biology |
| Institutions | University of Zimbabwe |
| Alma mater | University of California, Pepperdine University, University of Toronto |
| Doctoral advisor | - |
| Doctoral students | - |
| Known for | Discovery ot two enzymes involved in DNA repair, which earned him a nomination for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine [1] |
| Notable awards | UNESCO Gold Medal Award winner [2] |
Christopher J Chetsanga (born 1935 in Murehwa, Rhodesia) is a preeminent Zimbabwean scientist who is a member of the African Academy of Sciences. [3]
Education
- 1965 obtained a BSc degree at the University of California, Berkeley and Pepperdine University in California, USA[4]
- 1965-1969 obtained MSc and PhD degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Toronto, Canada[4]
- 1969-1972 became a Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Harvard University[5]
Scientific Achievements
Discovered two enzymes involved in the repair of damaged DNA:
- Formamidopyrimidine DNA Glycosylase, which removes damaged 7-methylguanine from DNA (1979).[6]
- DNA cyclase, which recloses imidazole rings of guanine and adenine damaged by x-irradiation (1985).[7]
Work experience
- Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor, University of Michigan, 1972–1983
- Professor of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, 1983–1986
- Dean of Science University of Zimbabwe, (1986–1991)
- Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Zimbabwe, (1991–1993)[4]
- Director General, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Center, Zimbabwe, 1993-2003[5]
References
- ↑ "UGLIEST STEREOTYPE SHATTERED!". Retrieved 2009-09-22.
- ↑ "ReNaissance Financial Holdings Limited". Retrieved 2009-09-22.
- ↑ AAS. "Chetsanga, J. Christophe, Prof.", Fellow of AAS since 1986; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nairobi, unknown. Retrieved on 28 August 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "exco5_sc_candidate_shortcv.pdf" (PDF). Consultive Group on International Agricultural Research. p. 18. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "::SIRDC". www.sirdc.ac.zw. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ↑ Chetsanga, C.J.; Lindahl, T. (1979). "Release of 7-methylguanine residues whose imidazole rings have been opened from damaged DNA by a DNA glycosylase from Escherichia coli". Nucleic Acids Res 6 (11): 3673–84. doi:10.1093/nar/6.11.3673. PMC 327965. PMID 386277.
- ↑ Chetsanga, C.J.; Grigorian, C. (1985). "In situ enzymatic reclosure of opened imidazole rings of purines in DNA damaged by gamma-irradiation". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 82 (3): 633–637. doi:10.1073/pnas.82.3.633. JSTOR 25324. PMC 397099. PMID 3856219.