Britton Chance
The Scientist Who Sailed to Olympic Gold and Revolutionized Biomedical Optics
A Renaissance Man of Science and Sport
In the annals of scientific history, few figures shine with as many diverse talents as Britton Chance (1913-2010)—biophysicist, Olympic champion, inventor, and visionary.
His extraordinary journey spanned nearly a century of groundbreaking discoveries that transformed our understanding of enzyme reactions, cellular energy production, and medical diagnostics.
Chance exemplified the Renaissance ideal of excellence across multiple disciplines, proving that the same mind that could unravel the complexities of mitochondrial function could also navigate the competitive waters of Olympic sailing. His work laid the foundation for modern biomedical optics, enabling non-invasive detection of tumors and brain monitoring techniques that benefit millions today 2 3 .
Key Scientific Concepts and Theories: Illuminating Life's Processes
Enzyme Kinetics
Chance revolutionized the study of enzyme-substrate complexes, providing direct evidence for their formation and properties 9 .
Mitochondrial Function
His research revealed how mitochondria generate ATP and discovered hydrogen peroxide release in the respiratory chain 2 .
Biomedical Optics
Pioneered near-infrared spectroscopy to non-invasively measure metabolic processes in tissues 8 .
Scientific Contributions Overview
| Research Area | Key Contribution | Impact and Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Enzyme Kinetics | Experimental demonstration of enzyme-substrate complex formation | Fundamental understanding of metabolic pathways, drug development |
| Mitochondrial Function | Identification of hydrogen peroxide release in respiratory chain | Understanding of oxidative stress, aging, and metabolic diseases |
| Optical Redox Imaging | Measurement of NADH and FAD fluorescence to assess cellular metabolism | Cancer research, assessment of treatment response in tumors |
| Near-IR Spectroscopy | Development of time-resolved NIRS and photon diffusion tomography | Non-invasive breast cancer detection, brain function monitoring |
| Medical Imaging | Pioneering work in in vivo NMR and MRI | Clinical diagnostics, understanding of muscle and brain metabolism |
Table 1: Key Scientific Contributions of Britton Chance 2 3 4
The Stopped-Flow Apparatus: A Landmark Experiment
Methodology: Capturing Biochemical Moments
In the 1940s, Chance addressed a fundamental challenge in biochemistry: how to study enzyme reactions that occur in milliseconds—too fast for conventional methods to observe. His ingenious solution was the stopped-flow apparatus 9 .
Experimental Procedure
- Preparation: Two syringes filled with enzyme and substrate solutions
- Activation: Solutions forced through a mixing chamber
- Stopping: Mixed solution flows into observation cell
- Measurement: Spectrophotometry measures light absorption
- Data collection: Instrument records absorption changes over time
Results and Analysis: Revealing the Invisible
Chance's stopped-flow experiments yielded groundbreaking results. For the first time, scientists could directly observe the formation and breakdown of the enzyme-substrate complex 9 .
| Time After Mixing (milliseconds) | Absorption at 420 nm | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.15 | Initial mixing |
| 1.0 | 0.32 | Rapid complex formation |
| 2.0 | 0.45 | Peak complex concentration |
| 5.0 | 0.38 | Early stage breakdown |
| 10.0 | 0.22 | Mid stage breakdown |
| 20.0 | 0.10 | Late stage breakdown |
| 50.0 | 0.05 | Reaction completion |
Table 2: Representative Data from Stopped-Flow Experiments 9
The Scientist's Toolkit: Research Reagent Solutions
Britton Chance's pioneering work was made possible by both his ingenious instrument designs and the careful use of specific biochemical reagents.
| Reagent/Material | Function and Significance |
|---|---|
| NADH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) | Key coenzyme in metabolic processes; Chance used its natural fluorescence to monitor metabolic states in cells and tissues |
| FAD (Flavin adenine dinucleotide) | Redox-active coenzyme; Chance measured its fluorescence alongside NADH to calculate redox ratios indicating cellular metabolic status |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Substrate used in early enzyme kinetics experiments; later found to be produced by mitochondrial respiratory chain |
| Cytochrome c | Electron transport protein; Chance studied its oxidation states using dual-wavelength spectroscopy to understand mitochondrial function |
| Peroxidase Enzyme | Model enzyme used in stopped-flow experiments to demonstrate enzyme-substrate complex formation |
| Near-Infrared Fluorophores | Light-sensitive molecules that absorb and emit light in near-infrared range; enabled deep tissue imaging for medical diagnostics |
Legacy: The Polymath Who Never Stopped Exploring
Britton Chance's remarkable career spanned an incredible eight decades at the University of Pennsylvania, where he mentored generations of scientists 3 6 . Even after becoming emeritus professor in 1983, he continued working 12-hour days, six days a week, well into his 90s .
Major Honors and Awards
- National Medal of Science (1974)
- Franklin Medal (1966)
- Membership in six national academies of science
- Olympic Gold Medalist (1952, 5.5-meter class sailing)
Scientific Impact Metrics
392
Publications
28,947
Citations
92
h-index
8
Decades of Research
1913
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
1940s
Developed the stopped-flow apparatus
1952
Won Olympic gold medal in sailing
1974
Awarded National Medal of Science
1980s-2000s
Pioneered biomedical optics and near-infrared spectroscopy
2010
Passed away at age 97