Person
Fraser, Robert Donald Bruce (Bruce) (1924 - 2019)
FAA
- Born
- 14 August 1924
England - Died
- 15 June 2019
- Occupation
- Biochemist and Biophysicist
- Alternative Names
- Fraser, Bruce (Also known as)
Summary
Bruce Fraser was internationally recognised for his contributions to understanding the structure of fibrous proteins, particularly wool and other keratins. After working at the Medical Research Council Biophysics Unit in London, during which time he was involved in the DNA studies of Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, Fraser migrated to Australia in 1952 to join the CSIRO Biochemistry Unit ( from 1959 the Division of Protein Chemistry). Here he lead research into the 3D structure of keratins and collagens. Fraser became Chief of the Division in 1985, retiring two years later when the dismemberment of the Division was proposed. In retirement he continued to publish original research in the structure of fibrous proteins for over 20 years. Among his publications were the landmark books Keratins: their composition, structure and biosynthesis (1972) written with Tom McRae and George Rogers, and Conformation in fibrous proteins and related synthetic polypeptides (1973) with Tom McRae.
Details
Chronology
- 1943 - 1946
- Career position - Served as pilot in the Royal Air Force
- 1948
- Education - Master of Science (MSc), King's College, University of London
- 1948 - 1951
- Career position - Postgraduate student at the Medical Research Council Biophysics Unit at Kings College in London
- 1951 - 1952
- Career position - Nuffield Foundation Fellow at the Medical Research Council Biophysics Unit at Kings College
- 1952
- Life event - Migrated to Australia
- 1952 - 1973
- Career position - Research Scientist (later Chief Research Scientist), CSIRO Biochemistry Unit (later Division of Protein Chemistry)
- 1957 - 2019
- Award - Fellow, Institute of Physics, United Kingdom
- 1960
- Education - Doctor of Science (DSc), University of London
- 1973 - 1983
- Career position - Assistant Chief, CSIRO Division of Protein Chemistry
- 1976
- Career position - Visiting Professor, Department of Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
- 1978 - 2019
- Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA)
- 1981
- Award - Royal Society of Victoria Medal for Excellence in Scientific Research
- 1983 - 1984
- Career position - Acting Chief, CSIRO Division of Protein Chemistry
- 1984
- Award - S. G. Smith Memorial Medal, Textile Institute, United Kingdom
- 1985
- Award - Fogarty Scholarship, National Institutes of Health, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
- 1985 - 1987
- Career position - Chief, CSIRO Division of Protein Chemistry
- 1987
- Life event - Retired as Chief of the CSIRO Division of Protein Chemistry
- 2005
- Award - World War Veterans Medal for service in the Royal Air Force (1943 - 1946)
Related entries
Published resources
Journal Articles
- Rogers, George E.; Miller, Andrew; and Parry, David A. D., 'Robert Donald Bruce Fraser 1924 - 2019', Historical Records of Australian Science, 31 (2) (2020), 152-63. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR19015. Details
Resources
- 'Fraser, Robert Donald Bruce (1924-)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1473952. Details
Resource Sections
- Ward, C., 'Robert Donald Bruce Fraser', in CSIROpedia, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 2011, https://csiropedia.csiro.au/Fraser-Robert-Donald-Bruce. Details
Annette Alafaci and Helen Cohn
Created: 19 October 2005, Last modified: 3 September 2019