Prof. G. Kupryszewski - a memory

Gotfryd Wiktor Kupryszewski was born on 30 September 1929 in Pinsk. Since the end of the Second World War, his life's fate was tied to the Gdańsk Coast. He completed his secondary education (gymnasium and secondary school) in Gdynia, and then, from 1949 onwards, he studied at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Gdansk University of Technology, obtaining the professional titles of chemical engineer (1953) and master of chemistry (1955) and, in 1958, the academic degree of doctor of chemical sciences. His further scientific career diverged from the standards established in Polish science; in 1963 he was awarded the degree of doctor habilitated, in 1963 the title of associate professor was conferred on him, and in 1976 he became a full professor.

Prof. Kupryszewski's research interests focused on the broad chemistry of amino acids and polypeptides. Two main streams of research can be distinguished here:

• methodology of peptide synthesis,
• synthesis, and the study of the structure-biological activity relationship of amino acid and polypeptide derivatives.

The first research direction includes work in the 1950s and 1960s on the reaction of non-hydrolytic cleavage of peptide bonds by N-acidolysis and on the reaction of selective cleavage of ester bonds in acylated amino acid and peptide esters by O-acidolysis. Also worthy of special mention is the work carried out on the prevention of racemisation occurring during the chemical synthesis of peptides. As part of this issue, Prof. Kupryszewski and co-workers proposed a mechanism of action for the so-called 'anti-racemization additives' and also introduced a number of new compounds into peptide chemistry as 'anti-racemization additives'. It should be emphasised that among the many described methods of peptide synthesis, the method of active pentachlorophenyl esters proposed by Prof. Kupryszewski has found wide application and has become a permanent feature of peptide chemistry.

The problem of the relationship between the structure of organic compounds and their biological activity was initially addressed by Prof. Kupryszewski to amino acid derivatives acting on the central nervous system (3-aryl-4-aminobutanoic acids) and those showing herbicidal activity (2-amino-4-aryloxybutanoic acids). One of the projects falling within this area was the development of an original synthesis of D,L-3-p-chlorophenyl-4-aminobutanoic acid (the preparation is sold under the trade name 'Backlofen') for the Starogardskie Zakłady Farmaceutyczne 'Polfa'. This drug reduces muscle tension and is used, among other things, for multiple sclerosis. In the following years, Prof Kupryszewski's interest in larger and larger compounds with biological activity grew. Initially, these included small peptides such as N -acyl derivatives of L-lysine and L-ornithine peptides showing antimicrobial activity, thyrotropic hormone analogues, opioid peptides (enkephalins, ciotorphine, caseomorphine) or tissue hormone analogues of angiotensin II. In subsequent years, Prof. Kupryszewski was interested in larger polypeptides with much more complex structures, such as cholecystokinin, gastrin, arginyl-vasopressin analogues, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, neuropeptides from the tachykinin family, galanin and its analogues, polypeptides with immunological activity, serine proteinase inhibitors, systemin, polypeptides forming complexes with nucleic acids. These are only the main (not all) objects of Prof Kupryszewski's research.

Prof Kupryszewski's scientific output is impressive. It includes almost 300 items of original papers, several monographic works and 5 textbooks and student scripts. One of the academic textbooks entitled. "Introduction to Organic Chemistry" is one of the most popular among students of chemistry and related disciplines. Papers originating from Prof. Kupryszewski's team have been presented by him or his collaborators at more than 100 scientific conferences.

An indirect, but reliable indicator of the level of scientific research is the level of its financing from non-statutory sources. In this field of activity, Prof. Kupryszewski can boast of many successes. For practically all his scientific research, Prof. Kupryszewski has obtained funding from domestic or foreign sources.

Prof. Kupryszewski has also cooperated extensively with many scientific centres both at home and abroad. He has, on several occasions, held scientific internships as a 'visiting professor' at renowned centres such as The Salk Institute (USA) and Uppsala University (Sweden). A number of researchers from other scientific centres at home and abroad have also completed internships in his laboratory.

In summarising this part of Prof. Kupryszewski's activities, it should be emphasised that he was one of the pioneers and has been one of the leaders in Polish peptide chemistry for many years. His very high position in the international academic community is also unquestionable.

Prof. G. Kupryszewski has been physically linked for more than 44 years with one place of work - the building on Sobieskiego Street. Initially it was the Higher School of Pedagogy in Gdańsk, where G. Kupryszewski became an assistant. He progressed through the various levels of his professional career there (assistant professor -1958, associate professor 1963, associate professor 1969), and after the establishment of the University of Gdańsk in 1970, he was employed as a full professor at the University of Gdańsk in 1976. He worked in this position until his retirement in 2002.

Prof. Kupryszewski's contribution to the organisation and functioning of both these universities is difficult to overestimate. This is only partly reflected in the managerial positions he held at the Institute of Chemistry and at the Faculty of Chemistry (1965-1970 head of the Department of Organic Synthesis, 1970-1996 head of the Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, 1996 - 2001 head of the Department of Organic Chemistry). Prof. Kupryszewski also served as Dean of the Mat.-Phys.-Chem Faculty of WSP (1963-1968) and UG (1970-1972), Vice-Chancellor of WSP (1968-1970) and UG (1970-1972). Documents from long ago and, unfortunately, the few who remember those times confirm the great enthusiasm and commitment of G. Kupryszewski in the organisation of the chemistry laboratories at the former WSP. Prof. Kupryszewski was also one of the initiators and founders of the University of Gdansk, as well as of the Faculty of Chemistry of the UG established in 1991.

Prof. G. Kupryszewski was also active outside his alma mater. He participated in the work of a number of departmental commissions, the Scientific Research Committee, the Polish Chemical Society, the editorial boards of specialist journals, as well as the scientific councils of, among others: Institute of Oceanology PAN in Sopot and Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry PAN in Poznań. He was also a member of a number of scientific associations including: Gdańsk Scientific Society, holding the position of president from 1972 to 1978, Polish Chemical Society, Polish Biochemical Society, Polish Physiological Society, Swedish Chemical Society, and the European Peptide Society holding the position of president from 1976 to 1978. He also served two terms (1990-1994; 1994-1998) as national representative on the Council of the latter organisation. Prof. Kupryszewski was also the organiser of a number of scientific conferences; among the most important is the organisation of the prestigious 15th European Peptide Symposium in 1978 in Gdańsk. In the non-scientific environment, G. Kupryszewski became known in the late 1980s as a staunch opponent of the continued construction of the nuclear power plant in Żarnowiec. He participated on the side of Solidarity in the Round Table talks.

Prof. Kupryszewski's contribution to the development of scientific staff is equally impressive. He promoted 25 doctorates in chemistry and, under his inspiration, nine people successfully completed their postdoctoral theses. Five of his students were awarded professorships.

For his scientific achievements and organisational activities, Prof. G. Kupryszewski has been repeatedly awarded by ministries, scientific societies and local communities, including the title of Honorary Member of the Gdańsk Chemical Society.

With the passing of Professor Gotfryd Kupryszewski, we are losing an outstanding researcher, a leader of the Polish school of peptide chemistry. We are bidding farewell to a dynamic and effective organiser, one of the founders of the University of Gdańsk, decorated inter alia with the Medal of the Commission of National Education and the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. The age-old custom of bidding our last farewells demands that words be spoken, but for us it is particularly difficult, even though, or perhaps precisely because, he was our Master and Teacher. He was undoubtedly a man of great stature. His qualities of character, such as integrity and wisdom, are worth recalling. We will keep him in our memory as a strict but just man, demanding a lot from others, but also from himself. Professor did not attach importance to personal gain. His overriding concern was the good of the University, Faculty, Department and Department he headed. Thanks to Professor Warmus's favour, a large number of his students soon began their independent academic work. He was also very kind to people from outside his circle of colleagues, many times supporting or even inspiring their scientific and professional advancement. It is hard to believe that we are already talking about him in the past tense, but the passing of time is inevitably inscribed in the fate of every human being. However, the one who did so much, who left behind works reminding us of his person and disciples, who will remember him, will never fully die. Professor will live on in our memory.

Prepared by: Prof. Krzysztof Rolka