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Albert Coons

Albert Hewett Coons (June 28, 1912 – September 30, 1978) was an American physician, pathologist, and immunologist. He was the first person to conceptualize and develop immunofluorescent techniques for labeling antibodies in the early 1940s.

Albert Hewett Coons
BornJune 28, 1912 (1912-06-28)
DiedSeptember 30, 1978 (1978-10-01) (aged 66)
Alma materWilliams College (BS)
Harvard Medical School (M.D.)
AwardsLasker Award (1959)
Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize (1961)
Gairdner Foundation International Award (1962)
Scientific career
FieldsPhysician, internist, educator, author, immunologist, pathologist
InstitutionsHarvard University

Early years edit

Coons was born in Gloversville, New York, on June 28, 1912, the son of Albert Selmser and Marion (née Hewett) Coons. His father was the president of a glove-manufacturing company, and his grandfather, Eugene Coons, was a physician. He was educated in Gloversville public schools, graduated with a B.S. from Williams College (Williamstown, Massachusetts) in 1933, and received his M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School in 1937.[1] Thereafter, Albert pursued residency training in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. During the final years of his house-officership, Coons joined the Thorndike Memorial Laboratory and was given a fellowship position in bacteriology and immunology.[2] In that capacity, he came under the professional influence of Hans Zinsser, a pioneering and dynamic immunologist and microbiologist.

Coons took a vacation trip to Berlin, Germany, in 1939, where he had a scientific epiphany. Having discussed with colleagues the immunological nature of the "Aschoff nodule" (an intracardiac, endomyocardial collection of myocytes and inflammatory cells) in rheumatic fever, Albert mulled over the nature of the antigens and antibodies that were involved in its formation. He later wrote: "In strange cities, visitors have many hours alone. It struck me that this theory [of immunological hypersensitivity as the etiology of the Aschoff nodule] had never been tested and indeed could not be tested without the demonstration of antibody or antigen, preferably both, in the local lesions. I considered that it might be easier to find the antigen than the antibody... The notion of labeling an antibody molecule with a visible label was perfectly obvious in such a context."[1] When Coons shared these thoughts with German scientific colleagues, they were highly skeptical that such a task could be accomplished. Knowledge of antibody structure was rudimentary, a method for attaching a fluorescent molecule to antibodies did not exist, and even the very synthesis of such chemical tags was in its scientific infancy. Nonetheless, undeterred, Albert returned to Boston to tackle the project.[2]

Military service edit

In 1942, Coons's research was interrupted by a call to serve in the Medical Corps of the United States Army during World War II. He shipped out to the southwest Pacific Theater with the 105th General U.S. Army Hospital, as its chief laboratory officer. The 105th saw action in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Philippines. Coons was discharged from the Army at the end of 1945 with the rank of Major (O4).[2] He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Career edit

Returning to Harvard Medical School, Coons continued his work on immunohistochemistry, in collaboration with Louis Fieser—an organic chemist—and his colleagues. Before the war, they had been successful in coupling anthracene isocyanate—a fluorophore—to antipneumococcus antibodies. The resulting product retained its immunological function, and was capable of agglutinating pneumococcal bacteria.[3] In addition, the organisms were brightly fluorescent and could be seen easily with a microscope that was fitted with an excitational ultraviolet light source. This basic laboratory paradigm was later applied to many antigens and antibodies,[4][5][6][7][8] launching the clinical disciplines of diagnostic immunofluorescence microscopy for bacteriology and immunology, immunocytology, and immunohistochemistry in anatomic pathology.[9] These methods are widely used today, globally, in clinical medicine and cell biology.[citation needed]

Many scientists spent time as fellows in Coons's Harvard laboratory. They, in turn, further developed the technique of immunohistology, as applied to electron microscopy and light microscopy. Coons progressed through the academic ranks at Harvard Medical School, and in 1953 was appointed Career Investigator for the American Heart Association. He completed additional work on in vitro and in vivo antibody production and the condition of immunological "tolerance".[10][11] In recognition of his achievements, Coons was given the prestigious Albert Lasker Award in Basic Research in 1959.[12] Coons was admitted as a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1962. In 1970, he was given a named Harvard University Chair in the Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, and later, in the Department of Pathology. He was president of the American Association of Immunologists (1960–1961) and a councillor and president of the Histochemistry Society, and was given several other awards and international honorary academic degrees.[2] These included the Paul Ehrlich Award in 1961, the Passano Award in 1962, the Gairdner Foundation Annual Award in 1963, the Emil von Behringer Prize in 1966, and honorary Sc.D. degrees from Williams College, Yale University, and Emory University.[13] Despite those accolades, Coons remained a modest, affable, and quiet person who was devoted to his work, family, friends, and students.

Personal life edit

Coons died of coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure in September, 1978, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He is buried in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Coons was survived by his wife, Phyllis (née Watts) [1917-2002], a writer for the Boston Globe newspaper;[14] his son, Albert H., Jr. (1957–2003),[15] a Boston attorney; and four daughters: Elizabeth, a medical editor; Susan, an educator; Hilary, a clinical psychologist; and Wendy, a social worker.[16]

References edit

  1. ^ a b McDevitt, H. O. Albert Hewett Coons, Biographical memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences.
  2. ^ a b c d Karnovsky MJ: Obituary-- Dedication to Albert H. Coons, 1912-1978. J Histochem Cytochem 1979; 22: 1117-1118.
  3. ^ Coons AH, Creech HJ, Jones RN: Immunological properties of an antibody containing a fluorescent group. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1941; 47: 200-202.
  4. ^ Coons AH, Kaplan MH: Localization of antigen in tissue cells; improvements in a method for the detection of antigen by means of fluorescent antibody. J Exp Med 1950; 91: 1-13.
  5. ^ Coons AH, Snyder JC: Localization of antigen in tissue cells; antigens of rickettsiae and mumps virus. J Exp Med 1950; 91: 31-38.
  6. ^ Coons AH: Fluorescent antibodies as histochemical tools. Fed Proc 1951; 10: 558-559.
  7. ^ Coons AH: Fluorescent antibody methods. Gen Cytochem Methods 1958; 1: 399-422.
  8. ^ Coons AH: The diagnostic application of fluorescent antibodies. Schweiz Z Pathol Bakteriol 1959; 22: 700-723.
  9. ^ Anonymous: A tell-tale glow. LIFE Magazine, Feb. 18, 1966; pp. 66-67.
  10. ^ Coons AH: Some reactions of lymphoid tissues to stimulation by antigens. Harvey Lect 1957-59; 53: 113-129.
  11. ^ Sercarz EE, Coons AH: The absence of antibody-producing cells during unresponsiveness to BSA in the mouse. J Immunol 1963; 90: 478-491.
  12. ^ Albert Lasker Basic Research Award, 1959: Albert Coons. (http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/1959_b_description.htm), Accessed 7-25-2010.
  13. ^ "Biographical Memoirs Home".
  14. ^ . 10 June 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-06-10. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  15. ^ "In Memorium, Spring 2004 UVA Lawyer".
  16. ^ National Academy of Sciences Biographical Memoir nasonline.org

albert, coons, albert, hewett, coons, june, 1912, september, 1978, american, physician, pathologist, immunologist, first, person, conceptualize, develop, immunofluorescent, techniques, labeling, antibodies, early, 1940s, albert, hewett, coonsbornjune, 1912, 19. Albert Hewett Coons June 28 1912 September 30 1978 was an American physician pathologist and immunologist He was the first person to conceptualize and develop immunofluorescent techniques for labeling antibodies in the early 1940s Albert Hewett CoonsBornJune 28 1912 1912 06 28 Gloversville New York U S DiedSeptember 30 1978 1978 10 01 aged 66 Brookline MassachusettsAlma materWilliams College BS Harvard Medical School M D AwardsLasker Award 1959 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize 1961 Gairdner Foundation International Award 1962 Scientific careerFieldsPhysician internist educator author immunologist pathologistInstitutionsHarvard University Contents 1 Early years 2 Military service 3 Career 4 Personal life 5 ReferencesEarly years editCoons was born in Gloversville New York on June 28 1912 the son of Albert Selmser and Marion nee Hewett Coons His father was the president of a glove manufacturing company and his grandfather Eugene Coons was a physician He was educated in Gloversville public schools graduated with a B S from Williams College Williamstown Massachusetts in 1933 and received his M D degree from Harvard Medical School in 1937 1 Thereafter Albert pursued residency training in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston Massachusetts During the final years of his house officership Coons joined the Thorndike Memorial Laboratory and was given a fellowship position in bacteriology and immunology 2 In that capacity he came under the professional influence of Hans Zinsser a pioneering and dynamic immunologist and microbiologist Coons took a vacation trip to Berlin Germany in 1939 where he had a scientific epiphany Having discussed with colleagues the immunological nature of the Aschoff nodule an intracardiac endomyocardial collection of myocytes and inflammatory cells in rheumatic fever Albert mulled over the nature of the antigens and antibodies that were involved in its formation He later wrote In strange cities visitors have many hours alone It struck me that this theory of immunological hypersensitivity as the etiology of the Aschoff nodule had never been tested and indeed could not be tested without the demonstration of antibody or antigen preferably both in the local lesions I considered that it might be easier to find the antigen than the antibody The notion of labeling an antibody molecule with a visible label was perfectly obvious in such a context 1 When Coons shared these thoughts with German scientific colleagues they were highly skeptical that such a task could be accomplished Knowledge of antibody structure was rudimentary a method for attaching a fluorescent molecule to antibodies did not exist and even the very synthesis of such chemical tags was in its scientific infancy Nonetheless undeterred Albert returned to Boston to tackle the project 2 Military service editIn 1942 Coons s research was interrupted by a call to serve in the Medical Corps of the United States Army during World War II He shipped out to the southwest Pacific Theater with the 105th General U S Army Hospital as its chief laboratory officer The 105th saw action in New Guinea the Solomon Islands and the Philippines Coons was discharged from the Army at the end of 1945 with the rank of Major O4 2 He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal nbsp Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon nbsp World War II Victory Medal ribbonCareer editReturning to Harvard Medical School Coons continued his work on immunohistochemistry in collaboration with Louis Fieser an organic chemist and his colleagues Before the war they had been successful in coupling anthracene isocyanate a fluorophore to antipneumococcus antibodies The resulting product retained its immunological function and was capable of agglutinating pneumococcal bacteria 3 In addition the organisms were brightly fluorescent and could be seen easily with a microscope that was fitted with an excitational ultraviolet light source This basic laboratory paradigm was later applied to many antigens and antibodies 4 5 6 7 8 launching the clinical disciplines of diagnostic immunofluorescence microscopy for bacteriology and immunology immunocytology and immunohistochemistry in anatomic pathology 9 These methods are widely used today globally in clinical medicine and cell biology citation needed Many scientists spent time as fellows in Coons s Harvard laboratory They in turn further developed the technique of immunohistology as applied to electron microscopy and light microscopy Coons progressed through the academic ranks at Harvard Medical School and in 1953 was appointed Career Investigator for the American Heart Association He completed additional work on in vitro and in vivo antibody production and the condition of immunological tolerance 10 11 In recognition of his achievements Coons was given the prestigious Albert Lasker Award in Basic Research in 1959 12 Coons was admitted as a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1962 In 1970 he was given a named Harvard University Chair in the Department of Bacteriology and Immunology and later in the Department of Pathology He was president of the American Association of Immunologists 1960 1961 and a councillor and president of the Histochemistry Society and was given several other awards and international honorary academic degrees 2 These included the Paul Ehrlich Award in 1961 the Passano Award in 1962 the Gairdner Foundation Annual Award in 1963 the Emil von Behringer Prize in 1966 and honorary Sc D degrees from Williams College Yale University and Emory University 13 Despite those accolades Coons remained a modest affable and quiet person who was devoted to his work family friends and students Personal life editCoons died of coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure in September 1978 in Brookline Massachusetts He is buried in Cambridge Massachusetts Coons was survived by his wife Phyllis nee Watts 1917 2002 a writer for the Boston Globe newspaper 14 his son Albert H Jr 1957 2003 15 a Boston attorney and four daughters Elizabeth a medical editor Susan an educator Hilary a clinical psychologist and Wendy a social worker 16 References edit a b McDevitt H O Albert Hewett Coons Biographical memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences a b c d Karnovsky MJ Obituary Dedication to Albert H Coons 1912 1978 J Histochem Cytochem 1979 22 1117 1118 Coons AH Creech HJ Jones RN Immunological properties of an antibody containing a fluorescent group Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1941 47 200 202 Coons AH Kaplan MH Localization of antigen in tissue cells improvements in a method for the detection of antigen by means of fluorescent antibody J Exp Med 1950 91 1 13 Coons AH Snyder JC Localization of antigen in tissue cells antigens of rickettsiae and mumps virus J Exp Med 1950 91 31 38 Coons AH Fluorescent antibodies as histochemical tools Fed Proc 1951 10 558 559 Coons AH Fluorescent antibody methods Gen Cytochem Methods 1958 1 399 422 Coons AH The diagnostic application of fluorescent antibodies Schweiz Z Pathol Bakteriol 1959 22 700 723 Anonymous A tell tale glow LIFE Magazine Feb 18 1966 pp 66 67 Coons AH Some reactions of lymphoid tissues to stimulation by antigens Harvey Lect 1957 59 53 113 129 Sercarz EE Coons AH The absence of antibody producing cells during unresponsiveness to BSA in the mouse J Immunol 1963 90 478 491 Albert Lasker Basic Research Award 1959 Albert Coons http www laskerfoundation org awards 1959 b description htm Accessed 7 25 2010 Biographical Memoirs Home PHYLLIS COONS WAS A GLOBE REPORTER FOR 55 YEARS AT 84 The Boston Globe Boston MA HighBeam Research 10 June 2014 Archived from the original on 2014 06 10 Retrieved 12 May 2023 In Memorium Spring 2004 UVA Lawyer National Academy of Sciences Biographical Memoir nasonline org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Albert Coons amp oldid 1185404476, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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