Donald J. Durzan

In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus, Department Chair
1936-2023

DONALD JOHN DURZAN

Born: August 4, 1936, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Died: October 1, 2023, Rocklin, CA

Education:

  • B.S., Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, 1959
  • Ph.D., Biochemistry and Genetics, Cornell University, 1963

Employment:

  • Canadian Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources at Chalk River, 1959, 1965-1980
  • UC Davis, 1981
    • Departments: Pomology
    • Chair, Department of Pomology, 1981-1985
Specialty

Breeding late-maturing perennial species, conifer biotechnology with emphasis on somatic embryogenesis, protoplast culture and genetic transformation, bioreactor process controls; artificial seeds; nitrogen metabolism

Research
  • Discovered new metabolic pathways in conifers using radioactive tracer chromatography, autoradiography, and cell and tissue cultures
  • Promoted agricultural and forestry resources
  • Patented the use of magnetic antibodies to recover taxol from yew trees
  • Recipient, NASA’s Innovation Award
Sample Publications

Cell and tissue culture in forestry.
J. M. Bonga;Don J. Durzan.
(1987)

Shoot multiplication from mature trees of Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) and sugar pine ( Pinus lambertiana )
P. K. Gupta;D. J. Durzan.
Plant Cell Reports (1985)

Biotechnology of Somatic Polyembryogenesis and Plantlet Regeneration in Loblolly Pine
Praymod K. Gupta;Don J. Durzan.
Nature Biotechnology (1987)