| Philip Fitz-James, a distinguished Canadian microbiologist and biochemist, was born in Vancouver (BC) 25th November 1920 and died in London (ON) 11th October 2006. As a research scientist he spent his entire career with appointments in the Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and of Biochemistry at the University of Western Ontario from 1953 rising to Professor in1967 and the University nomination as Professor Emeritus in 1987. From 1956 to his retirement he was a “Career Investigator” first supported by funding from the National Research Council and later the Medical Research Council as a full-time Research Associate.
He was a pioneer in aspects of the structure and cell biology of bacteria, published 70 papers, and involved 8 PhD graduate students in exciting and significant research. He contributed in another way to the University and the city by introducing them both to the sport of rowing and was the founder of both the University and the London Rowing Clubs. He encouraged and directed inter-collegiate rowing events in both Canada and the USA and was an advisor and Head Coach at the UWO for more than 30 years. All in all he had a substantial and influential career. His scientific strength was recognized by his being a Medical Research Fellow (NRC) 1950-56, a Medical Research Associate (NRC-MRC) 1956-1985, recipient of the Harrison Prize of The Royal Society of Canada in 1963 and of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists Award 1977. The Rowing Clubs were equally appreciative and he was named the Canadian Coach of the Year in 1980 by the Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen.
As the son of an Anglo-Scottish wood-products engineer and an Irish mother, Harold and Gladys Fitz-James, with a big garden he was introduced early to biology on the west coast and agricultural science was his first specialization at both UBC and the University of Toronto; this included bacteriology under Blyth Eagles and the problems of a penicillin pilot plant under Fergus MacDonald. Medical research was attractive and he decided to enter medical studies at the University of Western Ontario where he graduated with an MD in 1948. His interest and experience in microbiology was noted by Professors Murray and Robinow of the then Department of Bacteriology and Immunology and they sought his interest in initiating studies of bacterial endospores as a graduate student for a Ph.D. Spores were at that time recognized solely as a resting, heat and chemical resistant stage in the life cycle of Bacillus andClostridium species. Little or nothing was known about internal structure, biochemical components, and physiological attributes. This made for an attractive research problem. He was agreeable and the NRC offered him a scholarship but it was two years of internship and medical practice before he started in 1950 and never looked back. From that beginning he pursued entirely original and novel studies combining light and electron microscopic structural observations with biochemical analyses of identifiable fractions of bacterial cells and their spores; a level of interdisciplinary research novel then but universal now. The biochemical features of his work brought Professor Roger Rossiter into the advisory group. He gained the PhD in 1953. The several years of basic studies led to the later identification with his student Elizabeth Young of the stages of spore formation that involve a specialized version of cell division with the addition of differentiation of one derivative as a spore with a specialized coat on the cell membrane and a cortex. It was the beginning for the work of an army of people who thereafter used spores and spore formation as a basis for study of differentiation There were many aspects of spore formation that he worked out using mutants and inhibitors of individual processes wwith detailed analysis after careful fractionation.. It was pioneer work and its amplification was a major part of his labours.
There were interesting and productive collaborations over the years. In 1953 C. L. Hannay sought Fitz-James’ involvement in studying the parasporal protein crystals he had just discovered associated with sporulation of Bacillus thuringiensis and about to be known as the toxin now used as a biocide in the control of insect larvae. This led to biochemical and structural studies of the genesis of these crystals. Over years he collaborated with Arthur Aronson (Purdue University) first on structural studies of protoplasting of bacterial cells and the isolation of bacterial nuclei. Later they were engaged in a wide ranging study of spore-coat proteins and the formation of the multi-layered spore coat. Derivative work led to some understanding of the roles of spore coats in germination and in crystal synthesis along with isolating a wide range of mutants to assist analysis. It was a short step towards including plasmids in the genetic control of processes and the experimental modification of sporulation events. He made interesting observations of membrane associated linear polymers of teichoic acid that formed part of the wall structure of many gram-positive bacteria; they formed what he called “monorails” but the final set of associations escaped him, which one can regret. He was always prepared to do the needful to get materials, instruments and experimental animals he needed. At various times he bred silkworms or mosquitoes, feeding the latter by presenting his own arm. He did his own electron microscopy (the Department installed an electron microscope in 1954) and light photomicrography. When he needed specialized equipment he went to it or managed to obtain it, as he did for a Model E analytical ultra-centrifuge. He had strong help over 25 years from his assistant Doryth Loewy, who was also his wife, and she kept his laboratory in as much order as he would let it be.
Aside from science he brought enthusiasm for rowing to London as well as his own sculling single. He worked hard over years to start and develop a rowing club in the University sports program and succeeded to the extent that inter-collegiate races became a regular event. Somehow he persuaded students to enjoy early morning practice and the energy requirement of the sport; the outcome was some excellent oarsmen and women. The University interest sparked the formation of a London Rowing Club which has benefited the sport. He has trained more than graduate students and his efforts were fully appreciated at his retirement from coaching.
He was a research man of substance. The MRC Associate appointment was for that purpose and he was well supported. This suited him because he did not like lecturing and the restrictions of formal teaching. He had strong opinions when they were sought and often engaged in sharp humourous comments. He was a truly independent soul with some curious sides to him such as not belong to any scientific societies. He left a strong mark in his fields of study, which we can all appreciate.
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