Professor George Birnie

George Birnie obtained both his BSc and PhD degrees at the University of Glasgow, studying chemistry for his first degree in 1956 and biochemistry for his doctorate in 1960. He then worked for two years with the illustrious Charles Heidelberger, one of the pioneers of modern cancer research, at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research in Madison, Wisconsin, US, followed by seven years' research at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund laboratories in London. He was then attracted back to Glasgow in 1969 as one of the group leaders forming the nucleus of the revamped Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, by the new Director, Dr John Paul.

George continued to lead one of the research groups for almost 30 years until his retirement in the rank of professor at the end of 1998. During this period he undertook original research, resulting in more

than 100 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, first into the molecular/biochemical changes associated with virus infection associated with cancer, later about molecular and genetic changes responsible

for leukemia and most recently addressing the intractable

problem of why cancer cells metastasise. He was an honorary lecturer in Biochemistry of the Glasgow University

from 1982 till his retirement and a member of the editorial board of several scientific journals, in particular of the Biochemical Journal, from 1993 again until retirement.

Throughout his career, George was passionate about teaching, considering it a duty to pass on the discipline of scientific research to others, but also sharing with them his great enthusiasm for the subject. He attracted some excellent PhD students and bright young scientists, several of whom developed into eminent scientists in their own right. George was a very good, if strict, teacher, demanding very high standards of work, both experimentally and in scientific writing. He was a man of great personal integrity, prepared to argue his case strongly, even provocatively (whether this was to do with science, politics, or his Christian beliefs), but he was always prepared to respond constructively to reasoned counter-argument. Behind his somewhat reserved manner, colleagues knew there was a man of humanity, humour, and compassion when it really mattered.

In his younger days with better health, he gave unstintingly of his spare time, involving

himself in a local drama group for children and young

people, but most of all play-

ing a big part in the life of the former Giffnock Congregational Church. Latterly he was somewhat restricted in his activities but every Sunday he could be found at worship in the nearby Orchardhill Church.

Characteristically, after his retirement, George found time

for voluntary work for the Citizens' Advice Bureau as well as

for his family and his gardening. It is a matter of deep sadness to

all his colleagues, as well as to

his family, that the progression

of his heart problems first identified 13 years ago, meant that he did not have the extended retirement he deserved. He died on

holiday in Italy, a country he fell in love with during a conference many years ago.

George is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons, and four much-loved grandchildren.

Prof Paul Harrison

n Professor Harrison is Assistant Director (Research), Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow