Edmund Tijerina: $1 million UTHSC endowed chair goes to Lou Gehrig's researcher

Web Posted: 11/08/2006 09:49 PM CST


San Antonio Express-News

Most of us outside medical circles have probably never heard the phrase "X-ray crystallography" — but the technique may lead to research breakthroughs in combating Lou Gehrig's disease.
A biochemist who works with the technology is now the recipient of the newest endowed chair at the University of Texas Health Science Center.


Health science center President Francisco Cigarroa took the occasion of the annual President's Council lunch to announce the creation of a new $1 million endowed professorship.

Now, biochemist John Hart holds the Ewing Halsell President's Council Distinguished Chair for Excellence in Biosciences Research.

Hart studies three-dimensional images of protein molecules to analyze their structure.

In 2003, he made a discovery that explained why some molecules vital to proper nerve function instead clump together in the hereditary form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive, fatal neurological disease.

During the lunch at the Pearl Stables (at the former Pearl Brewery) Hart explained his research, spoke with an often quivering voice of how meeting ALS patients has touched him and thanked his research collaborators, assistants and others at the health science center.

He choked up when thanking his parents.

On a personal level for him, on an institutional level for the health science center, and on a scientific level — this million-dollar chair is a big deal.
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