Oliver H. Lowry was a distinguished molecular biologist whose pioneering work transformed biochemical research methodology across the scientific community. Born in Chicago on July 18, 1910, he earned his combined MD-PhD degrees from the University of Chicago in 1937, though he chose to devote his career to research rather than medical practice. Following early research positions at Harvard University under A. Baird Hastings and at the Carlsberg Laboratory in Copenhagen with Kaj Ulrik Linderstrøm-Lang, he joined the Public Health Research Institute in New York City in 1942. In 1947, Washington University in St. Louis invited him to chair its Department of Pharmacology despite his limited formal background in pharmacology, a position he held with distinction for twenty-nine years while also serving as Dean of the School of Medicine from 1955 to 1958.
Dr. Lowry's most enduring contribution was his development of the protein assay method published in 1951, which became one of the most frequently cited papers in scientific literature and revolutionized biochemical research by enabling precise protein quantification. His laboratory pioneered innovative techniques for isolating, preparing, and chemically analyzing single nerve cells and sub-cellular particles, advancing the field of cellular biochemistry. He developed freeze-drying methods to preserve cellular structures for detailed study and engineered a micro-balance capable of measuring weights less than a millionth of a gram, demonstrating exceptional skill in scientific instrumentation. These methodological breakthroughs provided researchers worldwide with essential tools that accelerated discovery across multiple biological disciplines and established new standards for precision in biochemical measurement.
Lowry's scientific excellence was recognized through his election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1957 and to the National Academy of Sciences in 1964, among the highest honors in American science. Throughout his tenure at Washington University, he mentored generations of scientists and fostered a research environment that emphasized methodological rigor and innovation in biochemical analysis. Even after stepping down as department chair, he continued his scholarly work as Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, maintaining an active research presence for many years. Oliver H. Lowry passed away on June 29, 1996, at the age of 85, leaving behind a profound legacy through the continued use of the Lowry protein assay in laboratories worldwide and the countless researchers he inspired during his illustrious career.
