University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: September 28, 2006

By KEVIN FRYLING
Reporter Staff Writer

For more than 40 years, George Nancollas' work in the Department of Chemistry has shed light on the treatment and prevention of such chronic conditions as renal-stone formation, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and tooth decay.

SUNY Distinguished Professor George Nancollas studies the chemical interface between solids and liquids, and the mechanisms of crystal growth and dissolution.
PHOTO: NANCY J. PARISI

Nancollas, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Larkin Chair of Chemistry, studies the chemical interface between solids and liquids, and the mechanisms of crystal growth and dissolution.

There is "enormous interest" in the subject, known as biomineralization, Nancollas says. The importance of his research is evidenced by the fact that one of his research grants, "The Mineralization of Teeth," has been renewed continuously by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) for almost 35 years.

In the late-1970s, Nancollas led his research group in the development of an influential approach to biomineralization called the constant composition method. His current studies use this method to understand structures in the human body that prevent or promote crystal growth—"macromolecules" that inhibit crystal formation and "nanocrystallites" that resist dissolution.

"Pathological mineralization is mineralization you don't want," explains Nancollas, noting the precipitation of crystals in the bloodstream and urine leads to hardened arteries and kidney stones, respectively.

In other cases, such as in the formation of strong teeth and bones, crystal growth is beneficial. "We're also interested in things that accelerate crystal growth," he says. "Tooth mineralization and bone mineralization is mineralization you do want."

A countless number of chemical and enzyme reactions take place in the body, he says, so the crux of his method involves a means to understand controlled reactions observed in vitro—"in the lab"—in terms of those that take place in vivo—"in life."

"We try to make our kinetic experiments relevant to the physiological conditions," Nancollas says. "The aim is to mimic in vivo systems so you can study them outside the body."

In 1991, Nancollas received a prestigious, long-term National Institute of Dental Research MERIT Award, which allowed research under his NIDCR grant to continue for 10 years without an application for renewal. Moreover, two separate grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provide funds for research into digestive proteins and the modulation of crystal growth that is done in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, respectively. Nancollas' achievements in the physical chemistry of renal stone research were recognized by his appointment as a professor in the UB Department of Urology in 1987.

A current collaboration with the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel involves research into bone formation. Just last month, a paper on an important breakthrough in the work there was accepted for publication.

The author of more than 420 scientific papers and several books, Nancollas also receives a long-term grant from Procter & Gamble to research the reaction of bone to bisphosphonates—powerful compounds used in osteoporoses medications such as Boniva and Actonel.

"Bone structure is something that has interested thousands of scientists over the years," he says.

Research, however, is only half the equation, he points out. "The best faculty members have two first priorities—to good undergraduate teaching and to graduate students and research."

This semester, Nancollas teaches a junior-level class in physical chemistry. "It's a challenge to turn them on to some things," he says, "but there are some extremely bright students who are a delight to teach."

His commitment to students extends beyond UB to those in elementary, middle and high schools in Western New York. Thousands of local science instructors have benefited from the Western New York Science and Technology Forum, which Nancollas founded in 1970 and has directed ever since.

"The idea is a series of talks and visits to local industries to both acquaint [teachers] with scientific areas and to give them materials to pass on to their students in school," he says, noting that about 100 educators participate in the forum annually.

As provost of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics from 1970-75, Nancollas founded a separate Distinguished Speakers Series—which is no longer running—that brought scientific experts to campus for an entire week. Among the famous visitors was chemist Linus Pauling, winner of two Nobel Prizes.

In recent years, Nancollas says, there has been an "appreciable increase" in the number of students majoring in chemistry. Although the uninterrupted rise in numbers of chemistry majors sets UB apart from other universities—most suffered declines several years ago—the upward trend is now widespread. He credits the turnaround in the field to renewed interest in the biological aspects—bioinorganic, bioorganic and biophysical chemistry.

Nancollas points to the establishment of an excellent organic chemistry program as one of the major developments since the department moved from Acheson Hall on the South Campus to the Natural Sciences Complex on the North Campus in 1994. He also notes the integration of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, formerly located in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, into the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences.

"It's a broader program, with a considerable focus on bio aspects," says Nancollas. "Of course, we've been interested in biological mineralization for a long time. So this fits in with the department's thrust very well."

A native of Wales, Nancollas joined the UB faculty in 1965. He had made earlier trips to the United States in 1963-64 as a visiting professor at Brookhaven National Laboratory. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Wales and a D.Sc. from the University of Glasgow.

"We were released from the cold weather of Scotland to the warm, sunny climes of Long Island," Nancollas recalls. His wife, Sheila, and two sons later enjoyed the long boat trip from Scotland to Montreal en route to Buffalo. Nancollas notes his sons, Michael and Paul, are now an orthopedic surgeon and ophthalmologist, respectively. His two grandchildren are in their teens.

A fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Association for Crystal Growth and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Nancollas' honors include two New York Science Teachers Association Distinguished Service Awards and the Jacob F. Schoellkopf Medal from the Western New York division of the American Chemical Society.