MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London
Science for Health
Don Williamson (1930-2010)
15 November 2010
Don Williamson died on Tuesday 2nd November 2010, aged eighty. He was a programme leader at NIMR for 28 years.
Don Williamson graduated from Edinburgh University in 1956 with a Ph.D. in bacteriology, and then worked in Alan Eddy's group at the Brewing Industry Research Foundation from 1956-1962. He acquired a taste for working on yeast and developed methods for isolating protoplasts and for synchronizing cell division. After a spell at the John Innes Institute, from 1962-1965, his interest in DNA replication in the yeast cell cycle led to a sabbatical as a Research Associate Professor in Herschel Roman's Department of Genetics in Seattle. He used that time to work on the molecular biology of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and initiated studies that eventually established patterns of yeast mitochondrial DNA replication.
In 1967 he moved to NIMR’s Microbiology Division to continue his work on yeast. Although trained as a bacteriologist he saw himself primarily as a cell biologist and his recruitment was seen as a good way to build links between the Microbiology Division and other areas at NIMR. He was a gifted collaborator, forging links both within and beyond the Institute. Don was seen as a great asset to the Institute; Howard Rogers, head of the Microbiology Division, wrote in support of a promotion for Don:
He is a leading authority on the behaviour of DNA during the cell cycle and has helped to demonstrate the great power of microorganisms as models to unravel cell cycle events. For some years Don has been concerned with the overall problem of regulation of mitochondrial DNA synthesis and the relationship between the physical nature of the mitochondrial genome and the genetic behaviour of the mitochondrial system. His major contributions were the demonstration of extensive recombination of mitochondrial DNA in growing cells and his studies on the packaging of mitochondrial DNA.
When Howard Rogers retired in 1983 Don took over as acting Head of Division for two years. The Division was disbanded in 1985 and Don became head of the newly-formed Laboratory of Cell Propagation.
In the mid 1980s Don switched interests to the molecular biology of malaria parasites and, working with Iain (R.J.M.) Wilson in the Division of Parasitology, he was instrumental in analysing replication mechanisms of organelles and transfected plasmids in Plasmodium. This collaboration proved very fruitful and in 1991 Don transferred to the Division of Parasitology. He retired in 1995 though he continued as a visiting worker for several more years.
I'm so sad to hear about Don’s death. I met him in 1984, when I came to work at NIMR for the first time. He was always a terrific colleague: approachable, kind, clever, considerate and collegial. Everyone liked him.
Jim Smith, NIMR Director
Don Williamson in 1969
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