title: Leaders in cell adhesion: an interview with Richard Hynes, pioneer of cell-matrix interactions. Interview by Pamela Cowin.
abstract: On a recent visit Richard O Hynes, FRS, HHMI, Daniel K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, graciously agreed to be interviewed in person for the first in Cell Communication and Adhesion's series on "Leaders in Cell Adhesion". In this interview we discussed three things: 1) the early role of family, mentors, and luck on his career path; 2) his major discoveries of fibronectin, integrins and the evolution of extracellular matrix proteins; and 3) his role in, and thoughts on, current science policy. This interview reveals his characteristic calmness and infectious optimism, his spontaneous and down to earth sense of humor, and his great ability to place scientific questions in perspective. The interview, carried out on April 30(th) 2013 is reported here verbatim with only minor editing for clarity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine , New York, NY , USA and The Ronald O Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine , New York, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hynes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016023:Integrins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D016023:Integrins