Professor Piet Borst is a preeminent scientist whose distinguished career has fundamentally advanced our understanding of molecular mechanisms in both cancer biology and parasitology. He serves as emeritus professor of clinical biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Amsterdam and formerly chaired the executive board of the Netherlands Cancer Institute and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital. After establishing himself at the University of Amsterdam as an associate professor in 1965, Borst embarked on a transformative leadership journey when he joined the Netherlands Cancer Institute in 1983, becoming director of research and later chairman of the board until 1999. His visionary leadership substantially elevated the institute's international standing while maintaining rigorous scientific standards throughout his tenure.
Dr. Borst's seminal research has yielded groundbreaking discoveries across two seemingly disparate fields with equal impact. His laboratory pioneered our understanding of drug resistance mechanisms in cancer cells, characterizing numerous transport proteins involved in chemotherapy efflux and identifying associated human diseases linked to ABC-transporter deficiencies. Simultaneously, his work on African trypanosomes led to the landmark discovery of base J, a novel modified DNA base in trypanosomatids, and elucidation of its critical function as an essential termination signal in RNA synthesis. These dual research trajectories, though distinct, were unified by his molecular approach to deciphering fundamental biological processes with direct implications for human disease, establishing him as one of the rare scientists to make paradigm-shifting contributions to both cancer research and parasitology.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Professor Borst has profoundly shaped scientific discourse and policy throughout his remarkable career, serving as a prominent spokesperson during the recombinant DNA controversy in the 1970s and contributing to the Innovation Platform of the Dutch prime minister. His 23-year tenure writing a monthly column in NRC Handelsblad established him as a trusted voice translating complex science for the public while critically examining premature medical claims. Recognized with the prestigious 2023 Lasker~Koshland Special Achievement Award for his exceptional 50-year career of scientific discovery, mentorship, and leadership, he continues to maintain active ties with the Netherlands Cancer Institute despite mandatory retirement. His enduring legacy is further cemented through the Piet Borst Lecture Fund, established to commemorate his 90th birthday, ensuring his commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry and critical thinking continues to inspire future generations of researchers worldwide.
