RETROSPECTIVE

Renato Dulbecco: Viruses, genes, and cancer

Walter Eckhart1 Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037

enato Dulbecco, renowned virol- ogist and cancer researcher, R passed away peacefully at his home in La Jolla, CA, February 19, 2012, 3 days before his 98th birthday. He was celebrated not only for his scientific achievements but also for inspiring a gen- eration of younger scientists who went on to become distinguished in their own fields. Renato was a founding fellow of the Salk Institute, where he spent most of his career. He also served as president of the Institute from 1988 to 1992. Renato was born and educated in Italy. He received his MD degree from the University of Torino in 1936, after which he served in the Italian Army for 2 years. He returned to the University of Torino briefly before being drafted into the army again when the Second World War began. He was sent to the Russian front, where he was wounded. Following his recuperation, he joined the resistance, becoming a village physician near Torino. After the war ended, Renato decided to study physics at the urging of Rita Levi- Montalcini, who thought physics might be helpful in understanding genes. Two years later he met Salvador Luria, who invited him to join his laboratory at Indiana University. There he studied photoreacti- vation of bacteriophages (bacterial viruses) and became friends with Jim Watson (codiscoverer of the structure of DNA), who was a graduate student with Luria at the time. Following a summer at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, he moved to the California Institute of Technology at the invitation of Max Delbrück. There he col- laborated with Marguerite Vogt to isolate pure strains and mutants of poliovirus using the plaque isolation technique that had been used so successfully for bacte- riophages. The techniques they developed made it possible to study the genetics of Renato Dulbecco. animal viruses in a quantitative way. Their collaboration continued after they joined the newly established Salk Institute 1975, together with David Baltimore and In 1972, Renato moved to England with in 1963, where they investigated mecha- Howard Temin, “for their discoveries his wife Maureen (who is Scottish) and nisms of cell transformation by tumor concerning the interaction between tumor their young daughter Fiona. He served viruses. I had the good fortune to be a viruses and the genetic material of as deputy director of research at the Im- postdoctoral fellow in Renato’s labora- the cell.” perial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories tory from 1965 to 1969, a particularly ex- Those who were fortunate to experience in London from 1972 to 1977. There- citing period. It was during that time that the camaraderie of Renato’s laboratory at after, he returned to the Salk Institute to he and his associates carried out the ex- the Salk Institute, which was enhanced by pursue a new interest in mammary cell periments showing that the DNA tumor the boundless enthusiasm of Marguerite biology and breast cancer, reflecting his virus SV40 became integrated into the Vogt, remember it fondly. There was a DNA of the host cell, a critical step in feeling of shared purpose, accompanied transforming the growth of the cell from by shared fun that was enviable. The Author contribution: W.E. wrote the paper. normal to malignant. He was awarded the freedom provided by the Salk Institute The author declares no conflict of interest. Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in also played a part. 1E-mail: [email protected].

www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1203513109 PNAS Early Edition | 1of2 Downloaded by guest on September 26, 2021 desire to apply insights from basic research sequence the human genome, described Project. During this period, he spent time to human health. in a letter to Science in 1986, with the both in Italy and at the Salk Institute. He Renato believed that science should be ultimate goal of deciphering the dif- finally returned permanently to La Jolla useful to mankind. In his Nobel lecture, he ferences in the cancer genome. Subse- and the Salk Institute in 2006. pointed out the potential dangers of sub- quent developments justified his optimistic Renato loved science, as great scientists stances in the environment—including predictions. do. He also loved music, and was an ac- many produced by human activity—that Renato was called upon to assume the complished pianist. He enjoyed working can cause mutations leading to cancer. He presidency of the Salk Institute in 1988 with his hands, and was fearless in attacking urged governments to discourage the following the illness of the previous pres- projects of homebuilding and renovation consumption of tobacco, a known carcin- ident, Frederic de Hoffmann. He accepted that would have daunted others. ogen. He also lamented the practical dif- the challenge and served with distinction in Renato was a stimulating mentor and ficulties in getting society to make the the position for 4 years. a generous colleague. He valued his required sacrifices. After his tenure as president of the Salk younger collaborators, for whom he Renato thought deeply about the Institute, Renato and Maureen returned was an inspiring role model. He was a implications of genetic discoveries for to Europe. Renato joined the Instituto true gentleman, conducting himself understanding cancer and human physi- di Tecnologie Biomediche Avanzate in with integrity and quiet confidence. His ology. These thoughts led him to sug- Milan to continue his work on breast spirit lives on in the memories of those gest an international undertaking to cancer and to direct the Italian Genome who knew him.

2of2 | www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1203513109 Eckhart Downloaded by guest on September 26, 2021