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Philip N. Benfey
Born(1953-01-31)January 31, 1953
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA
DiedSeptember 26, 2023(2023-09-26) (aged 70)
Durham, North Carolina, USA
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHarvard University (Ph.D.); University of Paris VI (DEUG)
Known forRoot Biology, Plant Development, Genomics, Single-Cell Technologies
AwardsNational Academy of Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, ASPB Pioneer Award
Scientific career
FieldsPlant Biology, Genetics, Genomics
InstitutionsDuke University, New York University, Rockefeller University

Philip N. Benfey (January 31, 1953 – September 26, 2023) was an American plant biologist renowned for his pioneering research in root biology, plant development, and genomics. He was a Distinguished Professor of Biology at Duke University making significant contributions to understanding the genetic and molecular basis of root growth and development. He was also known for his mentorship fostering the careers of numerous scientists worldwide...[1]. His achievements inspired the dedication of a lifetime achievement award in his name after he passed away [2]

Early life and education

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Philip Benfey was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He pursued early studies at the University of Paris VI, earning a DEUG diploma (Diplome d'Etudes Universitaire Generale). He later received his Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology from Harvard University under the guidance of Dr. Philip Leder, focusing on immunology. After recognizing the potential for transgenics in plants, he undertook postdoctoral research at Rockefeller University in the lab of Dr. Nam-Hai Chua, where he characterized the now widely-used cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, advancing the study of gene regulation in plants.[3]

Career and research

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In 1991, Benfey joined the Department of Biology at New York University (NYU), where he became a full professor in 2001. At NYU, he founded the Center for Comparative Functional Genomics and conducted fundamental research in the molecular genetics of root development. His early work focused on understanding asymmetric cell divisions in roots and led to the identification of key regulatory genes, such as SHORT-ROOT and SCARECROW, which are crucial for radial patterning in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.[4]

In 2002, Benfey moved to Duke University, where he was named the Paul Kramer Distinguished Professor of Biology and served as the department chair[5]. He played a key role in establishing the Duke Center for Systems Biology and was its director from 2007 to 2013[6]. His leadership emphasized interdisciplinary research, combining biology with mathematics, physics, and computational approaches to advance the study of plant systems biology.[7]

Benfey’s lab made significant advances in root biology, particularly through the development of innovative imaging techniques[8] and the application of tissue specific[9] and single-cell RNA sequencing [10] to create detailed maps of gene expression in plant roots. His team’s research revealed insights into how plants respond to environmental stressors and manage growth through coordinated gene expression networks[11]

Key Innovations

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  • Mobile Transcription Factors: Benfey’s research established the concept of mobile transcription factors that can specify asymmetric cell divisions in plant roots, leading to the discovery of key regulatory genes like SHORT-ROOT and SCARECROW.[12]
  • Technologies to study root growth and their underlying genetic and transcriptional programs : Benfey developed the RootArray, a microfluidic device allowing for the cultivation of multiple seedlings and detailed observation of root responses to environmental cues. This technology advanced the study of root system dynamics and paved the way for the founding of GrassRoots Biotechnology, which was later acquired by Monsanto.[13]. He also developed several imaging technologies to study roots [14] [15]
  • Single-Cell Genomics: His lab was among the first to apply tissue-resolved and single-cell RNA sequencing to plant roots, revealing previously unknown aspects of root cell differentiation and gene expression.[16] [17]

Professional recognition and leadership

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Philip Benfey was an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) from 2011 to 2023[18]. He was elected to the United States National Academy of Sciences in 2010 [19] and became a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2004 [20]. In 2021, he was awarded the Pioneer Award from the American Society of Plant Biologists for his contributions to plant biology [21]

Benfey served on numerous editorial boards, including Science, PNAS, and Developmental Cell. He co-founded and chaired the Scientific Advisory Board at Hi Fidelity Genetics Inc., a company focused on improving crop performance through advanced breeding technologies.[22]

References

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  1. ^ Birnbaum, Kenneth (2024). "Philip Benfey (1953–2023)". Nature Plants. 10 (October): 1436–1438. Bibcode:2024NatPl..10.1436B. doi:10.1038/s41477-024-01789-7. PMID 39289549.
  2. ^ "Arabidopsis Community Lifetime Achievement Award Named to Honor Philip N. Benfey". Arabidopsis Community Website. 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  3. ^ Benfey, PN; Chua, NH (1990). "The cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter: Combinatorial regulation of transcription in plants". Science. 250 (4983): 959–966. Bibcode:1990Sci...250..959B. doi:10.1126/science.250.4983.959. PMID 17746920.
  4. ^ Benfey, PN; Helariutta, Y (2000). "SHORT-ROOT gene controls radial patterning of the Arabidopsis root through radial signaling". Cell. 101 (5): 555–567. doi:10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80865-x. PMID 10850497.
  5. ^ "Philip N. Benfey Named Fellow of AAAS" (PDF). American Society of Plant Biologists Newsletter. 2011-08-01. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  6. ^ Raikhel, Natasha; Ecker, Joseph; Coruzzi, Gloria (2023). "Remembering Philip N. Benfey: A visionary pioneer in plant biology and mentor extraordinaire". PNAS. 120 (45). Bibcode:2023PNAS..12017677R. doi:10.1073/pnas.2317677120.
  7. ^ Benfey, PN (2011). "Taking a developmental perspective on systems biology". Developmental Cell. 21 (1): 27–28. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2011.06.016. PMC 3139400. PMID 21763617.
  8. ^ Busch, W; Benfey, PN (2012). "A microfluidic device and computational platform for high-throughput live imaging of gene expression". Nature Methods. 9 (11): 1101–1106. doi:10.1038/nmeth.2185. PMC 3492502. PMID 23023597.
  9. ^ Brady, SM; Benfey, PN (2007). "A High-Resolution Root Spatiotemporal Map Reveals Dominant Expression Patterns". Science. 318 (5851): 801–806. Bibcode:2007Sci...318..801B. doi:10.1126/science.1146265. PMID 17975066.
  10. ^ Shahan, Rachel; Benfey, PN (2022). "A single-cell Arabidopsis root atlas reveals developmental trajectories in wild-type and cell identity mutants". Developmental Cell. 57 (4): 543–560. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2022.01.008. PMC 9014886. PMID 35134336.
  11. ^ Iyer-Pascuzzi, Anjali; Benfey, PN (2011). "Cell identity regulators link development and stress responses in the Arabidopsis root". Developmental Cell. 21 (4): 770–782. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2011.09.009. PMC 3204215. PMID 22014526.
  12. ^ Benfey, PN; Helariutta, Y (2000). "SHORT-ROOT gene controls radial patterning of the Arabidopsis root through radial signaling". Cell. 101 (5): 555–567. doi:10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80865-x. PMID 10850497.
  13. ^ Busch, W; Benfey, PN (2012). "A microfluidic device and computational platform for high-throughput live imaging of gene expression". Nature Methods. 9 (11): 1101–1106. doi:10.1038/nmeth.2185. PMC 3492502. PMID 23023597.
  14. ^ Rogers, ED; Monaenkova, D; Mijar, M; Nori, A; Goldman, DI; Benfey, PN (July 2016). "X-Ray Computed Tomography Reveals the Response of Root System Architecture to Soil Texture". Plant Physiology. 171 (3): 2028–2040. doi:10.1104/pp.16.00397. eISSN 1532-2548. PMC 4936573. PMID 27208237.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  15. ^ Topp, CN; Iyer-Pascuzzi, AS; Anderson, JT; Lee, CR; Zurek, PR; Symonova, O; Zheng, Y; Bucksch, A; Mileyko, Y; Galkovskyi, T; Moore, BT; Harer, J; Edelsbrunner, H; Mitchell-Olds, T; Weitz, JS; Benfey, PN (April 30, 2013). "3D phenotyping and quantitative trait locus mapping identify core regions of the rice genome controlling root architecture". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 110 (18): E1695–E1704. Bibcode:2013PNAS..110E1695T. doi:10.1073/pnas.1304354110. PMC 3645568. PMID 23580618.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  16. ^ Brady, SM; Benfey, PN (2007). "A High-Resolution Root Spatiotemporal Map Reveals Dominant Expression Patterns". Science. 318 (5851): 801–806. Bibcode:2007Sci...318..801B. doi:10.1126/science.1146265. PMID 17975066.
  17. ^ Shahan, Rachel; Benfey, PN (2022). "A single-cell Arabidopsis root atlas reveals developmental trajectories in wild-type and cell identity mutants". Developmental Cell. 57 (4): 543–560. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2022.01.008. PMC 9014886. PMID 35134336.
  18. ^ "Philip N. Benfey". Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  19. ^ "Philip Benfey". National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  20. ^ "Philip N. Benfey". Plantae. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "Pioneer: Philip Benfey". American Society of Plant Biologists. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  22. ^ "Scientists Studying Roots to Help Crops". DTN Progressive Farmer. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
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