Conformational Dynamics of the Chromatin Fiber in Solution: Determinants, Mechanisms, and Functions

Supplementary Data

• Alan P. Wolffe (1959-2001)

  Alan Wolffe will be viewed by history as an extraordinary researcher, mentor, and author, who was more responsible than any other single individual for the tremendous resurgence of interest in chromatin that occurred between 1990-2000. He was killed in a traffic accident on May 26, 2001, at the age of 41. Numerous memorials and dedications will have occurred prior to the publication of this article, eloquently detailing the tremendous loss that was felt at the time. Here I provide a brief perspective of Alan's many contributions to the chromatin field, written to illustrate his remarkable legacy. During his 15-year career Alan Wolffe was almost inconceivably productive, publishing well over 250 papers, reviews, and books in areas encompassing nucleosome and chromatin structure, developmental and hormonal regulation of gene expression, and nuclear architecture. His book entitled Chromatin: Structure and Function was published in three editions from 1992-1998, and is the definitive source for first principles of chromatin (befittingly, this book was cited over 30 times in the present review). Alan's prodigious publication record reflected his pure and absolute love of science. Important unanswered questions bothered Alan, so he pursued as many of these questions as he could, always with unbridled passion. At the time that Alan entered the chromatin field there was widespread perception that issues related to chromatin structure were well understood, and that chromatin structure had little to do with regulation of nuclear functions. Alan and his many talented colleagues systematically changed these perceptions. Beginning with his seminal work in the areas of replication-coupled developmental gene expression, and the structure of defined in vitro reconstituted nucleosomes, Alan's laboratory simultaneously began studying chromatin structure and function. His subsequent research interests encompassed many different specific topics, but they were always connected by the involvement of chromatin. From the beginning Alan was intensely committed to the belief that chromatin structure and nuclear function are inexorably linked. He nurtured this concept with a passion—in his students, his collaborators, and his colleagues. No one working in the chromatin field escaped Alan's influence, be it direct or indirect. Despite Alan's tragically young death, his remarkable accomplishments have shaped chromatin research into an area that now receives widespread attention. As such, Alan's influence will stay with this field for as long as it exists.