In Memoriam – Prof. Amos Bairoch
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14806/ej.30.0.1085Abstract
Prof. Amos Bairoch (1957–2025) was one of the most influential and transformative figures in modern bioinformatics, a scientist whose vision reshaped how biological information is curated, accessed, and understood. As the creator of Swiss-Prot, UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot, PROSITE, ENZYME, and several other foundational databases, he defined the gold standard for accuracy, manual curation, and open accessibility in protein knowledgebases. His work enabled generations of researchers and laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across genomics, proteomics, biotechnology, precision medicine, and systems biology.
A professor at the University of Geneva and a driving force at the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Prof. Bairoch dedicated his life to building high-quality, sustainable, community-oriented resources that serve millions of users worldwide. He was not only an exceptional innovator but also a generous mentor and a passionate advocate for open science, training and inspiring countless scientists who continue to carry forward his vision.
The EMBnet community mourns his sudden passing with profound sadness. Amos was a colleague, collaborator, and friend whose impact on our field—and on global Life Sciences—cannot be overstated. His legacy endures in the resources he created, the standards he established, and the many people whose careers he touched. We honour his memory with deep respect, gratitude, and heartfelt sorrow.
Additional Files
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Laurent Falquet
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).