Robert Williamson (physician)

Robert Williamson (born 1938) is a retired British-Australian molecular biologist who specialised in chromosone research.

Robert Williamson
Born1938 (age 82–83)
NationalityUK
EducationBronx High School of Science
Wandsworth School
University College London
OccupationMolecular biologist
Known forMolecular genetics

Career

Williamson was educated at the Bronx High School of Science in New York and then Wandsworth School in South London, before studying at University College London.[1] From 1963 he was lecturer, then senior lecturer, in developmental biology at Glasgow University. From 1976 he was Professor of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry at St. Mary's Hospital, University of London.[2]

He moved to Melbourne, Australia in 1995 to be Director of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (then the Murdoch Institute) and Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of Melbourne. He edited several books on genetic engineering and on the ethics of the new genetic sciences.

Since his retirement in 2004 he has been the Secretary for Science Policy at the Australian Academy of Science and an Honorary Senior Principal Fellow (Professor).

Work

Williamson worked on haemoglobin synthesis in reticulocytes (immature red blood cells) and thalassaemias (inherited blood disorders). His team cloned the human alpha, beta and gamma globin genes from cDNAs, and used them to deduce the genomic structures. They also developed the use of anonymous gene markers to position, and attempt to identify, mutated genes responsible for cystic fibrosis, myotonic dystrophy, ataxias, coronary artery disease, craniofacial abnormalities, and dementia. He has published over 400 scientific papers.[3]

Honours and awards

In 1994 he was awarded the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine, together with W. French Anderson, for medical applications of molecular genetics.[4]

He was elected to the Royal Society in 1999.[3] He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Pathologists and the Australian Academy of Science (2001).

In 2004 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

References
  1. Who's Who 2019. A & C Black, London. 2018. ISBN 978-1-472-94758-1.
  2. "Professor Bob Williamson". Murdoch Children's Research Institute. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  3. "Robert Williamson". Royal Society. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  4. "Professor Robert Williamson". King Faisal Prize. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2018.


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