Shimomura Family Visits the MBL
The ϲappwas honored to receive a visit this week from relatives of the late ϲappDistinguished Scientist Osamu Shimomura and his wife, Akemi (Okubo) Shimomura.
The Shimomuras were resident scientists at ϲappfrom 1982 to 2001, working in a lab in the Lillie Building. Osamudedicated his career to the study of bioluminescence in many organisms, particularly the chemical structure of photoproteins. In 2008, he was awarded the , along with Martin Chalfie and Roger Tsien, for the discovery and development of green fluorescent protein (GFP), which revolutionized modern biological imaging.
Visiting the ϲappthis week were Sachi Shimomura, daughter of Osamu and Akemi; Akihiro and Takeshi Okubo, brothers of Akemi; Sachi's husband, John Brinegar; and their two daughers, Emi and Mika. They viewed exhibits in the library, including a display related to Osamu Shimomura's life and research.
The family then visited the Shimomuras' former lab in Lillie 112 and 113. Michael Shribak, a current occupant of the lab, demonstrated fluorescence polarization of GFP, which the late ϲappDistinguished Scientist Shinya Inoué had reported in a with Shimomura, Shribak and colleagues.
The family also visited the Marine Resources Center and enjoyed a beautiful, summer day in MBL's Waterfront Park.
