Aziz Sancar

Aziz Sancar
Sancar in 2015
Aziz Sancar
Born	8 9, 1946
Birthplace	Savur, Mardin, Turkey
Nationality	Turkish, American
Occupation	Molecular biologist, biochemist, professor
Title	Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Employer	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Known for	DNA repair mechanisms, nucleotide excision repair, photolyase, circadian clock research
Education	PhD, University of Texas at Dallas (1977)
Awards	Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2015), TÜBİTAK Science Award (1995), Vehbi Koç Award (2007)
Website	[sancar.org Official site]

Aziz Sancar (Template:IPA-tr; born 8 September 1946) is a Turkish-American molecular biologist and biochemist whose research on the molecular mechanisms of DNA repair earned him the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, shared with Tomas Lindahl and Paul L. Modrich. Born in the small southeastern Turkish town of Savur and raised in a large family with modest means, Sancar's trajectory from a rural village to the highest echelon of scientific achievement stands as one of the more remarkable stories in modern science. He is the Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. His contributions span several interconnected fields, including photolyase enzymology, nucleotide excision repair in bacteria and humans, cell cycle checkpoints, and the circadian clock. As of 2026, Sancar continues to lead an active research program at UNC, with recent work focusing on combination therapies for glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He is also the co-founder of the Aziz & Gwen Sancar Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes Turkish culture and supports Turkish students in the United States.

Early Life

Aziz Sancar was born on 8 September 1946 in Savur, a small district town in Mardin Province in southeastern Turkey. He grew up in a large family; his background and upbringing were recounted by family members in Turkish media following his Nobel Prize win. His older brother, a retired general, described the family's humble origins and the environment in which Aziz was raised in Savur. The Sancar family's story was further detailed by relatives in interviews with TRT Haber, who described the values and support structure that helped propel Aziz toward academic achievement.

Sancar grew up in a period when educational opportunities in southeastern Turkey were limited, particularly for children from rural towns. Despite these constraints, he demonstrated early academic aptitude and pursued higher education. He initially trained as a physician in Turkey, earning his medical degree from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine. After completing his medical degree, Sancar briefly practiced as a rural physician in Turkey before deciding to pursue a career in scientific research, a decision that would eventually lead him to the United States.

The transition from practicing medicine in Turkey to pursuing a doctorate in molecular biology in America represented a significant turning point. Sancar has spoken about the formative influence of his upbringing in Savur and the determination instilled by his family. When he received the Nobel Prize in 2015, he expressed happiness most of all for his country, Turkey.

Education

Sancar received his medical degree (MD) from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in Turkey. He subsequently moved to the United States to pursue graduate studies in molecular biology. He enrolled at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he conducted his doctoral research under the supervision of Claud Stan Rupert, a pioneer in the study of photoreactivation. His doctoral thesis, completed in 1977, was titled "A study on photoreactivating enzyme (DNA photolyase) of Escherichia coli," and it laid the groundwork for much of his subsequent research on DNA repair enzymes.

In 2009, the University of Texas at Dallas recognized Sancar with a Distinguished Alumni Award, honoring his contributions to science and his roots at the institution. In May 2025, Sancar returned to UT Dallas for a 10th-anniversary commemoration of his Nobel Prize, where he was honored at a special event hosted by the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Career

Early Research and DNA Photolyase

Sancar's scientific career began with his doctoral work on photolyase, an enzyme that repairs ultraviolet (UV) light-induced damage to DNA through a process known as photoreactivation. Working in Claud Stan Rupert's laboratory at the University of Texas at Dallas, Sancar studied the photoreactivating enzyme of Escherichia coli, elucidating key aspects of how this enzyme recognizes and repairs UV-damaged DNA using visible light as an energy source. This early work established Sancar as a researcher with deep expertise in the enzymology of DNA repair, a field that would become his life's work.

After completing his PhD in 1977, Sancar continued his research career in the United States, eventually joining the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He quickly became immersed in the intellectual and research community at UNC, and fell in love with the university and the Chapel Hill community.

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Sancar's most celebrated scientific contributions concern the mechanism of nucleotide excision repair (NER), a critical DNA repair pathway that removes a wide variety of DNA lesions, including those caused by UV radiation and certain chemical carcinogens. Working primarily with bacterial systems, Sancar and his colleagues mapped out the molecular steps by which the NER machinery in E. coli — involving the UvrA, UvrB, and UvrC proteins — recognizes DNA damage, excises the damaged segment, and restores the integrity of the DNA double helix.

This work was foundational to the understanding of how cells protect their genetic material from the mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of environmental and endogenous DNA damage. The mechanistic principles Sancar uncovered in bacterial NER proved to be broadly conserved across species, including humans, making his findings directly relevant to the understanding of cancer biology and genetic disease.

The 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognized Sancar, along with Tomas Lindahl and Paul Modrich, for their "mechanistic studies of DNA repair." The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences cited the trio's collective work in revealing the molecular mechanisms by which cells repair damaged DNA to maintain genomic integrity. Sancar's specific contributions to nucleotide excision repair were highlighted as central to this body of work. Upon the announcement, UNC-Chapel Hill celebrated the achievement as a milestone for the university and the broader research community.

Circadian Clock Research

In addition to his work on DNA repair, Sancar has made substantial contributions to the study of the circadian clock, the internal biological mechanism by which organisms synchronize their physiological processes with the 24-hour light-dark cycle. His laboratory at UNC has investigated the molecular components and regulatory logic of the mammalian circadian clock, including how clock genes and proteins interact to generate circadian rhythms.

Sancar's research in this area has explored the connections between DNA repair, the cell cycle, and the circadian clock, seeking to understand how these systems are coordinated at the molecular level. This interdisciplinary approach has implications for the field of chronobiology and for the development of time-dependent treatment strategies in medicine, sometimes referred to as chronotherapy.

Glioblastoma Research

As of 2025 and 2026, Sancar's laboratory has been actively pursuing translational research on treatments for glioblastoma, the most aggressive and common malignant brain tumor in adults. In January 2026, UNC Health reported that research led by Sancar demonstrated that a combination therapy approach could be effective against glioblastoma. The study examined the use of temozolomide (TMZ), a standard chemotherapy drug for glioblastoma, in combination with another agent, showing promise for improving treatment outcomes.

The work was conducted in collaboration with the NC TraCS Institute's SLiCE (Startup, Launch, and Commercialize Expertise) project at UNC, which supported the effort to repurpose a laboratory chemical as a potential new drug for brain tumors. Sancar expressed hope that the findings could lead to improved treatments, noting the significance of the results for patients with this devastating disease.

Mentorship and Public Engagement

A decade after his Nobel Prize, Sancar has remained active not only in research but also in mentoring and public engagement. In October 2025, UNC highlighted Sancar's efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists, noting that he "shows no signs of hanging up his lab coat." UNC Health similarly profiled his enduring legacy, describing how the professor continues to push the boundaries of discovery while mentoring young researchers.

In early 2026, Sancar and UNC colleague Mark Peifer hosted a group of approximately 20 English as a second language students from nearby Grady Brown Elementary School for a visit to the Sancar laboratory at UNC, providing the students with exposure to a working research environment.

Personal Life

Sancar holds citizenship in Turkey and the United States. He is married to Gwen Boles Sancar, who is also a biochemist and professor at UNC. Together, the couple co-founded the Aziz & Gwen Sancar Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Turkish culture in the United States and supporting Turkish students studying in America. The foundation operates the Carolina Türk Evi (Carolina Turkish House) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which serves as a cultural center.

Following his Nobel Prize win in 2015, Sancar donated his Nobel medal. In April 2016, UNC announced that both Sancar and fellow UNC Nobel laureate Oliver Smithies had donated their Nobel medals to the university. In a separate ceremony, the Nobel medal was presented to the Anıtkabir (the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk) command in Turkey, in an event attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Sancar has expressed deep attachment to his Turkish heritage throughout his career, and his Nobel Prize was a source of national pride in Turkey, generating widespread media coverage.

Recognition

Sancar has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, reflecting the significance of his contributions to molecular biology and biochemistry.

His most prominent recognition is the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded jointly with Tomas Lindahl and Paul Modrich "for mechanistic studies of DNA repair." The announcement was covered extensively by both international and Turkish media.

Prior to the Nobel Prize, Sancar received the TÜBİTAK Science Award in 1995 from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), one of Turkey's most prestigious scientific honors.

In 2007, he was awarded the Vehbi Koç Award, a major prize in Turkey recognizing outstanding contributions to science, education, or culture.

Sancar is an honorary member of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA). He has also been elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 2009, the University of Texas at Dallas honored him with the Distinguished Alumni Award. In May 2025, he returned to UT Dallas for a 10th-anniversary celebration of his Nobel Prize, where he was again honored by the university.

The News & Observer of Raleigh, North Carolina, covered Sancar's Nobel Prize as a major local story, reflecting his prominence in the Triangle research community.

Legacy

Sancar's scientific legacy rests primarily on his elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying DNA repair, work that has had lasting effects on the fields of molecular biology, genetics, and cancer research. His characterization of nucleotide excision repair in E. coli provided a detailed mechanistic framework that has informed decades of subsequent research into how cells from bacteria to humans maintain genomic integrity. His work on photolyase similarly advanced the understanding of light-dependent DNA repair.

Beyond his specific scientific discoveries, Sancar has become a symbol of the potential of international scientific collaboration and the contributions of immigrant scientists to American research. His story — from Savur, Turkey, to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to Stockholm — has been cited as an example of how talent, persistence, and opportunity can converge to produce breakthroughs of the highest order.

At UNC, Sancar's presence has contributed to the institution's standing as a major center for biomedical research. His decision to donate his Nobel medal to UNC, alongside Oliver Smithies, symbolized his commitment to the university and its mission. His continued research on glioblastoma, more than four decades into his career, demonstrates an ongoing commitment to applying fundamental science to pressing medical challenges.

Through the Aziz & Gwen Sancar Foundation and the Carolina Türk Evi, Sancar has worked to build cultural bridges between Turkey and the United States and to support the educational aspirations of Turkish students abroad. His engagement with younger generations — whether through formal mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers at UNC or through hosting local schoolchildren in his laboratory — reflects a commitment to science education that extends beyond the laboratory bench.

As of early 2026, Sancar remains an active researcher and faculty member at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, continuing to contribute to the fields he has shaped over the course of his career.