The Virus Hunter: Erica Ollmann Saphire takes on deadly threats

The first major project she took up was among the most difficult in virology - determining the shape of b12, an antibody discovered by Scripps Research scientist Dennis Burton. It was the mid-1990s, and AIDS research was making progress. But as Burton points out, scientists were struggling with the harsh reality that "a virus is a masterpiece of evolution. It changes."

Saphire was a graduate student at Scripps Research, and up for a challenge. She decided to earn her doctoral degree by solving the structure of b12, which was a risky decision. Students in her field typically have about five years to earn a doctorate. She got 4.5 years down the line without developing any crystals that would scatter X-rays well enough to reveal the antibody's shape.

"I was concerned that she wouldn't get anything good before her Ph.D and that she should maybe switch to something that would guarantee some success," Burton said. "She stuck with it and not only succeeded, but became the first person to solve the structure of an entire human antibody. It was a tour-de-force. I don't think I've ever been associated with another student who had her steeliness." Twelve years later, it's still the only crystal structure of an entire human antibody.

Her next major project was equally difficult - resolve the structure of a single protein on the surface of Ebola, the protein that served as a gateway between the outside world and the interior of cells. Cracking the problem is essential to drug design, and to finding ways to protect the country against biological attack.

As before, years passed without success, partly due to the composition of the Ebola protein. It is covered with sugars that inhibit crystallization.

Saphire played a hunch, suspecting that she could grow the crystals she needed if she somehow locked the proteins in place. After a lot of setbacks, she found an antibody that did just what she wanted. She soon had the structure of the key protein, a breakthrough that made the cover of the journal Nature. Many gifted scientists go their entire career without achieving that honor.

"That was a pretty creative approach to solving the problem," said Harvard's Whelan. "It's telling us a lot about Ebola."

Where does this persistence and steeliness come from?

Saphire, who grew up near Austin, Texas, is not big on psycho-analyzing herself, preferring to describe her toughness as innate. But some of it likely comes from her father, Taylor, an independent-minded college mathematics professor who encouraged Saphire and her brother to stand up for themselves and, if something is important, to make it work, "come hell or high water."

Her toughness isn't negative. "She isn't arrogant or offensive," Burton said. Scientists point instead to her team-building skills. She arranged for her large staff to have black laboratory coats that bear the symbol of the Ebola virus. It was meant to build camaraderie, and focus.

There's a lot at stake. Although she's a prized researcher, the National Institutes of Health only funds six percent of the grants awarded in her field. Like others, she worries about whether the money will dry up.


