Marc Dreyfus (1948–2022)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marc Dreyfus, microbiologist, friend and colleague, on Thursday November17,attheageof74. AlthoughMarcisinternationallyrecognizedforhisworkonthecoupling between transcription, translation and degradation of bacterial mRNAs, he began his career in theoretical chemistry with a Masters levelthesisattheInstitutdeBiologiePhysico-Chimique(IBPC)underthe directionofAlberteandBernardPullman(1969-1970),wherehestudied thephenomenonofhydrogenbondingusingquantummechanicstools. Marc then did his state thesis (PhD) in the laboratory of Professor J.E. Dubois, head of the Laboratory of Physical Organic Chemistry in the University of Paris 7 (1971-1977). With the help oftwocolleagues,GuyDodinandOlivierBensaude,Marcwasable tomeasuretheprotonexchangeratesbetweenacidandbasesites inpurines,pyrimidines,andothernitrogenousheterocyclesinsolution.Afterhisthesis,MarcturnedtoBiologyandspentmostofthe 11 yearsthatfollowedatthePasteurInstitute.Hefirstworkedon