Edmond H. Fischer

Edmond H. Fischer – Life, Discoveries & Legacy

Discover the remarkable life and scientific legacy of Edmond H. Fischer (1920–2021), the Swiss-American biochemist who co-discovered reversible protein phosphorylation and won the 1992 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Introduction

Edmond Henri Fischer (April 6, 1920 – August 27, 2021) was a Swiss-American biochemist whose research transformed our understanding of how cells regulate activity. Together with Edwin G. Krebs, he discovered the mechanism of reversible protein phosphorylation—a molecular switch that controls cellular functions from metabolism to growth to signaling. Their work earned them the 1992 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Fischer’s career spanned eras of molecular biology’s maturation. His life is a testament to curiosity, persistence, and the power of elegant mechanisms in biology.

Early Life, Family & Education

Birth and Early Years

Though often described as Swiss, Fischer was born on April 6, 1920, in Shanghai, China, in the Shanghai International Settlement. Courrier de Chine in Shanghai.

At age seven, Edmond and his brothers were sent from China to Switzerland to attend boarding school, in a region near Vevey. La Châtaigneraie and later the Collège Calvin in Geneva.

During his youth, Fischer also trained in piano and maintained a lifelong love for music—he later would play Beethoven and Mozart for friends and colleagues.

University & Doctoral Work

Fischer studied chemistry at the University of Geneva, where he was drawn to organic chemistry and biochemistry. Kurt Heinrich Meyer, focusing on the purification and characterization of alpha-amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch.

After earning his doctorate, he remained at Geneva as a research assistant (1946–47), and then from 1948 to 1950 he held a fellowship under the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Scientific Career & Major Discovery

Move to the U.S. & Partnership with Krebs

In 1950, Fischer moved to the United States, joining the University of Washington in Seattle as a Rockefeller Foundation research fellow. Edwin G. Krebs, who was investigating muscle enzymes.

Together, Fischer and Krebs turned to a puzzling problem in enzymology: how certain enzymes are regulated, switched on or off, within cells. Their work focused initially on glycogen phosphorylase, the enzyme that breaks down glycogen into glucose.

Reversible Protein Phosphorylation

Between 1955–56, the duo made their landmark discovery: that enzymes can be regulated by adding and removing phosphate groups, a process called phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.

They identified:

• Protein kinases: enzymes that transfer a phosphate group (from ATP) to another protein, thereby changing its activity (often “activating” it)

• Protein phosphatases: enzymes that remove the phosphate group, returning the protein to its prior state

This reversible switch acts like an on/off regulator in many cellular processes—metabolism, signal transduction, growth, and more.

Over subsequent years, countless proteins and pathways in biology were found to use this mechanism. Phosphorylation is now central in understanding diseases (e.g. cancer, diabetes) and in drug design.

Academic Progress & Later Work

Fischer’s academic trajectory at the University of Washington was steady:

• Assistant Professor (early 1950s)

• Associate Professor (1956–61)

• Full Professor (from 1961)

• Emeritus Professor starting about 1990

Even in emeritus status, Fischer remained active intellectually, giving lectures, mentoring younger scientists, and participating in scientific communities.

Awards, Honors & Recognition

• In 1992, Edmond H. Fischer and Edwin G. Krebs shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of reversible protein phosphorylation.

• He was elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society (ForMemRS) in 2010.

• Fischer was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (1972) and to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (1973).

• He held honorary doctorates (honoris causa) from institutions such as the University of Montpellier and University of Basel.

• He was Honorary President of the World Cultural Council from 2007 to 2014.

At the time of his death at age 101, Fischer was one of the oldest living Nobel laureates.

Personal Life & Character

Fischer married Nelly Gagnaux in 1948; after her death in 1961, he married Beverly Bullock in 1963.

Beyond the lab, he was a cultured and curious person:

• He played piano and often performed classical pieces for colleagues and friends.

• Fischer held a private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying.

• He was known to maintain humility, a love of conversation, and a generous mentoring spirit toward younger scientists.

Later Years & Passing

Edmond H. Fischer passed away on August 27, 2021, in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 101. His longevity echoed the timelessness of his scientific contributions.

His death was mourned across the scientific community, and tributes emphasized both his intellectual rigor and his personal warmth.

Legacy & Scientific Importance

Fischer’s discovery of reversible phosphorylation is among the cornerstones of modern cell biology and molecular medicine. Some elements of his legacy:

• The phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle is now known to be ubiquitous—its regulatory logic underlies nearly every major signaling pathway in eukaryotic cells.

• Many modern therapies—especially in cancer and metabolic diseases—seek to modulate kinases or phosphatases.

• His work reshaped how scientists understand cellular communication: proteins are not static machines but dynamic players whose state is constantly adjusted.

• He inspired numerous students, collaborators, and institutions; his model of curiosity, mentorship, and elegance remains a benchmark.

In sum, Fischer’s career bridges chemistry and biology, theory and application. His discoveries reverberate across life sciences.

Lessons from Edmond H. Fischer’s Life

1. Elegant mechanisms often reveal deep truths. Fischer’s simplicity in approach (switching phosphate groups) unlocked vast cellular complexity.

2. Curiosity across disciplines helps. Fischer combined chemistry, biology, and even musical sensibility in asking questions.

3. Longevity in science demands humility and collaboration. His partnership with Krebs and his ongoing engagement late in life shows science is communal and continuous.

4. Mentorship matters. Fischer’s influence extended beyond his own papers—through training and encouragement of younger generations.

5. Pursue balance. His interests in music, flying, and conversation suggest a life that balanced deep work with human connection.