Former pomology chair Durzan remembered for work in tree biochemistry

Donald J. Durzan, a professor emeritus and former chair of the former UC Davis Department of Pomology, died peacefully on Oct. 1, 2023, in Rocklin, Calif., surrounded by his family.

Durzan will be honored in the UC Davis Remembrance Ceremony set for May 19, when the university community honors members who have died.

He was born on Aug. 4, 1936, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was the beloved husband of 65 years to Tania Durzan, father of Paul (Bing) and Michael Durzan, and grandfather to Jonathan Durzan.

In 1959, Durzan earned a bachelor of science degree in biology at McMaster University in Hamilton. The Canadian Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources at Chalk River recruited him to initiate physiological and biochemical studies on conifers in support of silviculture. He was granted leave to obtain a doctoral degree in biochemistry, plant physiology and genetics in F.C. Steward’s laboratory at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. (1960-1963). His research led to the discovery of new metabolic pathways in conifers using radioactive tracer chromatography, autoradiography and cell and tissues cultures.

In 1965, Durzan returned to Chalk River, where he developed cell and tissue culture technologies to clone trees for capturing genetic gains. This research was seminal to launching forest biology programs at the Canadian environmental agency, Environment Canada, into the clonal age. Radioactive tracers demonstrated how the metabolic pathway responsible for the assimilation of water, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous contributes to the conifer life cycle.

Durzan’s success led to the building of a new facility at the Forest Products Laboratory in Ottawa. His research there used radioactive and stable isotopes to demonstrate how cells synthesize nucleic acids and proteins and develop into plantlets under aseptic conditions. In 1980, his contributions to forest biotechnology were honored at the Paper Institute’s 50^th anniversary celebration.

Recruited to chair department

UC Davis recruited Durzan to be chairman of the Department of Pomology, which he led from 1981 to 1985. During his tenure, his research characterized nutrient deficiencies and metabolic problems related to cherry rootstocks, and alternate bearing in almond and pistachio crops. His efforts led to a United States patent to clone conifers by somatic embryogenesis, licensed by Weyerhauser (2000-2008).

The National Institutes of Health’s Natural Products Division sought Durzan’s expertise to explore how the drug Taxol could be produced in his culture systems as a treatment for ovarian cancer. With support from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, his work led to a patent for the use of magnetic antibodies to recover Taxol from Taxus cells (from the Pacific yew tree). His lab developed cytochemical methods to track how Taxol was biosynthesized and released by cells. In addition, rotating vessels for the International Space Station’s Biotechnology Facility were modified to explore how Taxol is synthesized in microgravity.

Durzan’s efforts were recognized with NASA’s Innovation Award for the scientific and technical contributions he made toward achieving NASA’s aeronautical and space goals.

In 2004, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Non-proliferation and Threat Reduction in Weapons of Mass Destruction contacted Durzan to oversee a project in Ukraine to benefit the European Union’s economy. An advanced research workshop for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was held at Yalta, with a focus on cell biology, ultra-violet radiation and the biological effects of nitric oxide. Proceedings were published in 2006 by IOS press. As part of this, new methods and instruments were developed to monitor the effects of UV radiation on Antarctica’s ozone hole.

Durzan also conducted biochemical analysis of candidate trees of the renowned “trees of life” in Montreal. In 1535-36, an indigenous remedy made from the trees in the village of Stadacona (now Quebec) saved many of the sailors from scurvy during the famous voyage of Captain Jacque Cartier up the St. Lawrence Seaway. Durzan’s work indicated that vitamin C, amino acids and nitric oxide derived from arginine probably contributed to the cure.

In 2012, Durzan’s research on cloning forest trees, somatic embryogenesis, genetic engineering and biotechnology was recognized by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations in Brno, the Czech Republic, with a Mendel Medal. The medal is awarded by Mendel University in Brno to scientists who contribute to the development of vegetative propagation technology.

Other institutions and industries enlisted Durzan’s expertise to evaluate and promote agricultural and forestry resources throughout the world. Those include the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Nordic Industrial Foundation, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the World Bank. As a result, throughout his career he traveled to Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, India, Italy, Japen, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and Indonesia to share his knowledge.

In addition to Durzan’s academic and scientific pursuits, he was a dedicated husband and loving father and grandfather. He shared his love of sports by coaching both his son’s teams in ice hockey and soccer. He was an avid gardener, especially enjoying growing tomatoes and cucumbers to share with family, neighbors and bridge friends.

Donations can be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada.