Frederick Grinnell (biologist)
Encyclopedia
Frederick Grinnell is an American cell biologist
, also known for his work in bioethics
. Currently, he is professor of cell biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He took his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Clark University
(1966) and Ph.D. in biochemistry at Tufts University
(1970). He joined the faculty at UT Southwestern in 1972 and founded the Ethics in Science and Medicine Program and Ethics Grand Rounds in 1998.
Grinnell's early scientific work contributed to the discovery of the biological adhesion protein fibronectin
and helped to establish the importance of fibronectin in biomedical engineering
and wound repair. Subsequently, his laboratory helped popularize the use of fluid (exudate) from open wounds to analyze the human wound environment and made the discovery that chronic wound
s contain degraded fibronectin and high levels of proteolytic enzymes. In recent years, his research has focused on the use of three dimensional collagen
matrices containing fibroblasts to learn about the mechanics of fibrous connective tissue.
In bioethics, Grinnell engages in cross-disciplinary work at the boundary between science and philosophy. His goal is to inform public policy and to advance science education and public understanding of science. Grinnell's work in bioethics is centered in the sociology of knowledge
, an approach developed through his studies with the phenomenologists Richard Zaner and Maurice Natanson. He has published two books: The Scientific Attitude, now is in its second edition; and Everyday Practice of Science: Where Intuition and Passion Meet Objectivity and Logic, which was a finalist in the 2010 Royal Society Book Prize competition.
Cell biology
Cell biology is a scientific discipline that studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level...
, also known for his work in bioethics
Bioethics
Bioethics is the study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. Bioethicists are concerned with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, law, and philosophy....
. Currently, he is professor of cell biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He took his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Clark University
Clark University
Clark University is a private research university and liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts.Founded in 1887, it is the oldest educational institution founded as an all-graduate university. Clark now also educates undergraduates...
(1966) and Ph.D. in biochemistry at Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
(1970). He joined the faculty at UT Southwestern in 1972 and founded the Ethics in Science and Medicine Program and Ethics Grand Rounds in 1998.
Grinnell's early scientific work contributed to the discovery of the biological adhesion protein fibronectin
Fibronectin
Fibronectin is a high-molecular weight glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix that binds to membrane-spanning receptor proteins called integrins. In addition to integrins, fibronectin also binds extracellular matrix components such as collagen, fibrin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans...
and helped to establish the importance of fibronectin in biomedical engineering
Biomedical engineering
Biomedical Engineering is the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology. This field seeks to close the gap between engineering and medicine: It combines the design and problem solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to improve...
and wound repair. Subsequently, his laboratory helped popularize the use of fluid (exudate) from open wounds to analyze the human wound environment and made the discovery that chronic wound
Chronic wound
A chronic wound is a wound that does not heal in an orderly set of stages and in a predictable amount of time the way most wounds do; wounds that do not heal within three months are often considered chronic....
s contain degraded fibronectin and high levels of proteolytic enzymes. In recent years, his research has focused on the use of three dimensional collagen
Collagen
Collagen is a group of naturally occurring proteins found in animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals. It is the main component of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content...
matrices containing fibroblasts to learn about the mechanics of fibrous connective tissue.
In bioethics, Grinnell engages in cross-disciplinary work at the boundary between science and philosophy. His goal is to inform public policy and to advance science education and public understanding of science. Grinnell's work in bioethics is centered in the sociology of knowledge
Sociology of knowledge
The Sociology of knowledge is the study of the relationship between human thought and the social context within which it arises, and of the effects prevailing ideas have on societies...
, an approach developed through his studies with the phenomenologists Richard Zaner and Maurice Natanson. He has published two books: The Scientific Attitude, now is in its second edition; and Everyday Practice of Science: Where Intuition and Passion Meet Objectivity and Logic, which was a finalist in the 2010 Royal Society Book Prize competition.