Richard Tecwyn Williams
Encyclopedia
Richard Tecwyn Williams (20 Feb 1909 - 29 Dec 1979) was a Welsh
biochemist
who founded the systematic study of xenobiotic metabolism
with the publication of his book Detoxication mechanisms in 1947. This seminal book built on his earlier work on the role of glucuronic acid
in the metabolism of borneol
.
He was born in Abertillery, Wales in 1909 and educated at the Gelli Crug Junior School and Secondary School, Abertillery
. He then went on to University College, Cardiff to study chemistry and physiology and was awarded his B.Sc. degree in 1928. In 1931, he published the structure of glucuronic acid in the leading scientific journal, Nature.
In 1949 he took up the Chair of Biochemistry at St Mary's Hospital Medical School
in London where in the 1950s he worked on the metabolism of thalidomide.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in March 1967. His application citation read: "The researches of Williams have been largely responsible for laying the foundations of biochemical toxicology. He has worked on the metabolism of aliphatic alcohols, alicyclic hydrocarbons, benzenes and alkylbenzenes, sulphonamides, drugs of a wide variety, heterocycles, and organotin compounds. Especially noteworthy are his work on fluorescence and his studies on thalidomide in which he has shown that none of the twelve breakdown products which he identified is teratogenic. Williams has also defined the structural factors required for a compound to be excreted through the bile. He has discovered species differences which may have an application in primate classification. His work is of immediate relevance to our understanding of drug metabolism and action and that of the biological effects of food additives, pesticides, and other compounds foreign to the body".
He died of cancer in 1979. He married Josephine Sullivan in 1937; they had 5 children.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
biochemist
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
who founded the systematic study of xenobiotic metabolism
Xenobiotic metabolism
Xenobiotic metabolism is the set of metabolic pathways that modify the chemical structure of xenobiotics, which are compounds foreign to an organism's normal biochemistry, such as drugs and poisons...
with the publication of his book Detoxication mechanisms in 1947. This seminal book built on his earlier work on the role of glucuronic acid
Glucuronic acid
Glucuronic acid is a carboxylic acid. Its structure is similar to that of glucose. However, glucuronic acid's sixth carbon is oxidized to a carboxylic acid...
in the metabolism of borneol
Borneol
Borneol is a bicyclic organic compound and a terpene. The hydroxyl group in this compound is placed in an endo position.Borneol is easily oxidized to the ketone yielding camphor. One historical name for borneol is Borneo camphor which explains the name. Borneol can be synthesized by reduction of...
.
He was born in Abertillery, Wales in 1909 and educated at the Gelli Crug Junior School and Secondary School, Abertillery
Abertillery Comprehensive School
Abertillery Comprehensive School is a comprehensive school in Abertillery, Wales.-About the School:Abertillery Comprehensive is a mixed 11 - 16 school and was opened in September 1986 on the site of Pen-y-Bont Pit and Gray Pit...
. He then went on to University College, Cardiff to study chemistry and physiology and was awarded his B.Sc. degree in 1928. In 1931, he published the structure of glucuronic acid in the leading scientific journal, Nature.
In 1949 he took up the Chair of Biochemistry at St Mary's Hospital Medical School
St Mary's Hospital Medical School
St Mary's is the youngest of the constituent schools of Imperial College, London, founded in 1854 as part of the new hospital in Paddington. During its existence in the 1980s and 90s, it was the most popular medical school in the country, with an application to place ratio of 27:1 in 1996.St Mary's...
in London where in the 1950s he worked on the metabolism of thalidomide.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in March 1967. His application citation read: "The researches of Williams have been largely responsible for laying the foundations of biochemical toxicology. He has worked on the metabolism of aliphatic alcohols, alicyclic hydrocarbons, benzenes and alkylbenzenes, sulphonamides, drugs of a wide variety, heterocycles, and organotin compounds. Especially noteworthy are his work on fluorescence and his studies on thalidomide in which he has shown that none of the twelve breakdown products which he identified is teratogenic. Williams has also defined the structural factors required for a compound to be excreted through the bile. He has discovered species differences which may have an application in primate classification. His work is of immediate relevance to our understanding of drug metabolism and action and that of the biological effects of food additives, pesticides, and other compounds foreign to the body".
He died of cancer in 1979. He married Josephine Sullivan in 1937; they had 5 children.
External links
- History of Xenobiotic Metabolism: R.T.Williams:The Founding of the Field International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics
- Article on R.T.Williams