Death of Professor Agnès Ullmann – a tribute from the Institut Pasteur President

"It was with deep sadness that we heard of the death of Professor Agnès Ullmann on February 25, 2019, at the age of 92, at her home in Paris.

Agnès Ullmann was a scientist who was renowned the world over for her discoveries in molecular biology and whose research contributed to the international reputation of the Institut Pasteur. She authored 180 scientific publications, edited or co-edited 6 books and filed 5 patents.

On a more personal level, I had the immense honor of receiving valuable advice and guidance from her when I began my career at the Institut Pasteur.

Agnès obtained a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Budapest, Hungary, before joining Jacques Monod's laboratory at the Institut Pasteur in Paris in 1958. From her early research on the Escherichia coli lactose operon promoter with François Jacob and Jacques Monod, she went on to elucidate the allosteric properties of muscle-specific proteins and investigate the role of cyclic AMP in bacteria. In her research on the lactose system, Agnès made a major discovery, the alpha-complementation of beta-galactosidase, which revolutionized gene cloning by giving rise to the blue-white screening that has been used ever since by thousands of scientists.

She also conducted research into protein synthesis inhibition by streptomycin with François Gros. Her final area of research was the adenylyl cyclase toxin secreted by the whooping cough agent, Bordetella pertussis. Her team cloned and sequenced the toxin gene. This pioneering work helped shed light on the structure-function relationship of this enzyme, whose activity depends on interaction with calmodulin. Her work also led to the development of innovative vaccine approaches for the induction of antitumor immunity.

Agnès Ullmann was affiliated with both the CNRS (1962 to 1992) and the Institut Pasteur (1978 to 1996). As well as directing the Biochemistry of Cell Regulation Unit from 1979 to 1996, she was Scientific Development Director at the Institut Pasteur from 1982 to 1995 under the leadership of Professor Raymond Dedonder and then Professor Maxime Schwartz. At her retirement she was a Director of Research at the CNRS and a Professor at the Institut Pasteur. She subsequently continued her work at the Institut Pasteur as a Scientist Emeritus.

She was a Knight of the National Order of Merit, Knight of the Legion of Honor, recipient of the Louis Pasteur Gold Medal (from the French Academy of Sciences) and member of EMBO.

We learned very recently that Agnès Ullmann had for many years expressed in writing that she wanted her body to be given to science. The necessary measures have been taken to fulfill her wish, and there will therefore be no funeral. The Institut Pasteur will hold a commemorative ceremony at a later date to pay tribute to Agnès' scientific career, her personal achievements and the eminent role she played at the institute.

I trust that you will join with me in extending your condolences to her family."

Professor Stewart Cole
President

 

Additionally discover the homage to Agnès Ullmann, by François Gros, president of the Institut Pasteur from  1976 to 1982, Permanent Secretary of the French Academy of Sciences from 1991 to 2000, and Honorary Permanent Secretary of the French Academy of Sciences since January 2001.

Read the François Gros' homage (in French)