Dr. Britton Chance was a visionary scientist who served as the Eldridge Reeves Johnson Emeritus Professor of Biophysics, Physical Chemistry, and Radiologic Physics at the University of Pennsylvania for more than fifty years, establishing himself as one of the giants of biochemistry and biophysics in the twentieth century. Born in 1913, he earned multiple advanced degrees including an M.D. and Ph.D. and demonstrated remarkable interdisciplinary talent that spanned scientific research and athletic achievement, famously winning an Olympic Gold Medal in sailing at the 1952 Helsinki Games in the Men's 5.5 Meter Class. His early career included significant contributions during World War II where he received a Certificate of Merit for sensitive radar development work, and he consistently maintained dual passions for scientific innovation and nautical pursuits throughout his life. Even after becoming emeritus professor in 1983, he remained remarkably active in research, frequently bicycling to his laboratory in his eighties and nineties to continue pioneering work that bridged theoretical science and clinical applications.
Dr. Chance pioneered groundbreaking instrumentation that transformed biomedical research, most notably developing the dual-beam spectrometer which enabled unprecedented real-time observation of mitochondrial function during ATP synthesis and revolutionized the study of cellular metabolism. His seminal research established foundational understanding of free radicals and reactive oxygen species in mitochondrial metabolism, making him a recognized pioneer in redox biology whose work opened new pathways for understanding metabolic diseases and cellular signaling processes. As a founding figure in biophotonics, he developed near-infrared optical imaging techniques that provided non-invasive methods for monitoring tissue oxygenation and metabolic activity, creating diagnostic tools that became essential in both research laboratories and clinical settings worldwide. His innovative spirit continued throughout his extraordinary career, with significant contributions well into his nineties including the development of fluorescent molecule techniques for tracking malignant breast cells and portable systems for real-time brain function imaging that advanced cancer diagnostics and neuroscience research.
Beyond his direct scientific contributions, Dr. Chance mentored generations of researchers who describe collaborations with him as transformative experiences that shaped entire scientific careers, with colleagues noting his unflagging energy and ability to connect basic science with clinical practice. He received the National Medal of Science in 1974 and earned the rare distinction of being elected to both the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and foreign academies including The Royal Society of London and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, reflecting his global scientific impact. Chance's legacy extends beyond specific discoveries to his role in establishing biophotonics as a critical discipline at the intersection of physics, engineering, and medicine, where his instrumentation innovations continue to enhance diagnostic capabilities and save lives through non-invasive medical imaging techniques. He passed away on November 16, 2010, at age 97, leaving behind a monumental scientific legacy that continues to influence biomedical research and inspire scientists across multiple generations through his extraordinary ninety-seven years of discovery and innovation.
