The American Peptide Society has authorized a special symposium to commemorate Bruce Merrifield s 80 th birthday and pay special tribute to his many contributions to science. Following a year of employment at the Phillip R. Park Research Foundation, he decided to return to UCLA where he received his Ph.D. in biochemistry. Bruce and his new bride, the former Elizabeth Furlong, then drove across country to begin his career as an Assistant Biochemist at Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
Proteins play a crucial role in virtually all the fundamental processes in the living cell.
The enzymes and many of the hormones that mediate the chemical reactions and biochemical transitions that are necessary for life are proteins. The synthesis of proteins has been a major challenge for chemists. Professor Merrifield undertook research at Rockefeller University that led to the development of a new general principle for the synthesis of peptides and proteins. This new method, called solid phase peptide synthesis has had profound effects on medical and basic science science. It has enabled us to synthesize proteins in the laboratory and to understand the effect of chemical structure on biological function of proteins, enzymes and hormones.