E.B. Wilson Medalists, 1981

Daniel Mazia's career in research encompasses many areas of ceU biology, but the main thread is a fascination with how ceils reproduce. Much of this effort is directed toward understanding the regulation and structural basis of mitosis. His studies include landmark work on calcium levels and fertilization , growth during the ceil cycle, studies on the role of the cell nucleus in directing cell growth, the first experimental dissection of the centriole cycle during cell replication and, of course, the classic feat of isolation of the mitotic apparatus from sea urchin eggs. This accomplishment demonstrated that this labile, ephemeral structure was a distinct entity composed of vesicles and microtubules that could be analyzed in vitro. This advance has led to much of our present understanding about the structural and physiological basis of chromosome movement. In recent years, Daniel Mazia's attention has been directed toward the initiation of mitosis by fertilization. His contribution to the alkalinization hypothesis of cell activation has contributed to the rejuvenation of interest in this area. His current effort is focused on the question of the origin of the centrosome. Daniel Mazia, a gifted teacher, whose famous cell biology course at Berkeley assimilated his philosophy of science to impart a personal view of the cell, has taught and lectured at Berkeley for 30 years, for several summers at the Marine Biology Laboratory, Woods Hole, and now at the Hopkins Marine Station. George E. Palade's impressive record of achievement has provided us with fundamental knowledge in cell biology we now take for granted. At the beginning of the current era of cell biology, his thorough analysis of the factors that influence the preservation of ultrastruc-ture contributed to the multifaceted effort that made thin section analysis possible. His description of mitochondrial ultrastructure proved to be the first display of his etymological talents as he introduced the term "cristae mitochondriales." The discovery of the ribosome ("Palade's particle") in situ led to the magnificent series of studies which elucidated the cellular events associated with protein synthesis and secretion in exocfine cells, and resulted in Dr. Palade's being awarded the Nobel Prize. These studies form a model for biological investigation ranging from the whole organism to the molecule. Palade and his distinguished international group of students and collaborators conducted experiments on the cellular basis of protein synthesis which united biochemical, physiological, and morphological analysis to provide an integrated structural-functional, qualitative-quantitative interpretation of …