Don J. Durzan

In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus
1936-2023

Donald John Durzan

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

  • Professor emeritus of plant physiology and chair of the pomology department, UC Davis
  • Worked at the Canadian Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources
  • 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
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

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)