Stanley Cohen: 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology & Medicine
There is no place for the unexplainable, the mystical, and the uncalculated in science. Science is systematic. It is always about logic, facts, and rationality—the application of evidence to create explanations. Or is it? Stanley Cohen, the discoverer of one of scientific medicine’s most integral factors actually attributes his finding to luck. Not only does he partially credit his Nobel Prize winning discovery to something as abstract as chance, but he mentors his students to embrace accidents. He says, “‘Many new things are found by accident…If you’re prepared to see the accident, you can find it.’” When asked by a student how to reach similar levels of success, he replied, “‘One, pay careful attention to your data and, two, be lucky’” (Snyder, 2011). This humble genius is the recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for the isolation of nerve growth factors (NGF) and epidermal growth factors (EGF)…
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What struggles did Cohen face when he made his discovery?
Great question Gautam!
In early modern medicine during Cohen’s time as a researcher, the importance of growth factors were undervalued. Many did not believe the identification of growth factors could lead to productive medicine reflected by his winning of the Nobel Prize years after his initial discovery. He had to struggle to convince his peers the importance of his discovery.
Was it hard finding information about him since he was so reclusive?
Thanks for the question Tiffany!
Yes! It was a little difficult finding information on Cohen. He did give a few interviews after he won the prize, but as the years progressed he gave fewer and fewer interviews. It is reported he began to tell his secretary at Vanderbilt to simply reject any requests for interviews. One Vanderbilt student recalled begging his secretary over and over again for an appointment until he finally gave into the persistence. Cohen simply felt the interviews were repetitive and was more interested in research and teaching.
I found that Cohen has given talks to younger students on multiple occasions.
Do you think his research would have been possible without the other scientist?
Thanks for the question Amanda!
No, I believe they mutually benefited from each other, hence the sharing of the Nobel Prize.
While Cohen helped Levi-Montalcini isolate NGFs, Levi-Montalcini inspired him to further pursue his research in growth factors, which ultimately led to his discovery of EGFs.
How is Stanley Cohen’s research still used in contemporary science?
Thanks for the question Shariq!
Cohen’s research is primarily used by pharmaceuticals developing chemotherapy treatments and in developing surgical skin grafts for transplants or wound healing.
Did he have trouble dealing with his fellow colleagues given his timid personality?
Thanks for the question Fadi! I haven’t read anything about his personality interfering with his work ethic or interactions. He may be shy, but I believe it is mostly in respect to interviews and praise. Cohen was very humble, but extremely motivated. Many of his colleagues have lauded him for his attention to details.
Can you talk more about his research with worms?
Thanks for the question, Lisa! I could not find extensive information on this research. I do know that it concerns nitrogen metabolism in starving worms and the conversion of ammonia to urea. I am certain his dissertation can be found at the University he completed it at!
Did Cohen’s hands on attitude, shown when he dug up the earthworms himself, positively contribute to his work?
Thanks for the question Max!
Yes! It was reflective of his determination and commitment to hard work. In addition to luck, Cohen accredits his success to a keen attention to detail.
What could he have been doing with all those worms? The CCNY library was named after him?
Thanks for the question Casey!
Unfortunately, I think its safe to assume Cohen was starving most the worms (in the name of science) since his research was based on metabolic mechanisms of starving worms. He studied the conversion of ammonia to urea during nitrogen metabolism.
No, the CCNY library was named after American philosopher Morris Raphael Cohen, who studied at CCNY and Harvard. M. Cohen later taught philosophy and law and CCNY. Stanley Cohen attended CUNY Brooklyn. That was an understandable mistake! I had to look it up too!
Did he receive any other awards for his research?
Thanks for the question Saffia!
Here is a list of the other awards he has won:
· American Cancer Society Research Professor of Biochemistry (1976)
· National Academy of Science (1980)
· H.P. Robertson Memorial Award, National Academy of Science (1981)
· Lewis S. Rosenstiel Award, Brandeis University(1982)
· American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1984)
· National Medal of Science (1986)
This information has been taken from : http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Stanley_Cohen.html
Did Cohen have any other interests in other fields besides biochemistry?
Thanks for the question Allen!
I couldn’t find answer to this question.
He has only expressed interests in biology, chemistry, and teaching from what I have found.
How does Cohen credit CUNY for his success?
Thanks for the question Laura! CUNY’s free tuition policy when Cohen attended school allowed him to begin his extensive academic career. Cohen came from a modest family and would have never been able to kickoff his education without this incentive.
How are these growth factors affecting medical technologies?
How do you view the phenomenon of chance in the laboratory? Does it make a scientist any less notable?
Thanks for the question Bethany!
I think it is crucial to leave room for error. Nothing is fool proof. I don’t think it makes the scientist any less notable. Perhaps, he or she is more admirable for having the ability to recognize the unexpected nature around them and adjust his or her research accordingly.