In memoriam: Peter Roepstorff

Peter Roepstorff, a pioneer in biological mass spectrometry and a leading figure in protein science, died Feb. 3. He was 83. He had been a member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for almost 20 years.

Peter Roepstorff

Born June 10, 1942, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Roepstorff earned graduate degrees in physiological chemistry and chemical engineering from the Université d'Aix–Marseille and the Technical University of Denmark, respectively. In 1974, he joined the University of Southern Denmark, formerly Odense University, as an associate professor in the newly established Department of Molecular Biology. He became a full professor in 1995.

Roepstorff was renowned for his contributions to protein mass spectrometry. His early work on vitamin K–dependent gamma-carboxylation in prothrombin, a key blood-clotting protein, showed that mass spectrometry can be used to detect and characterize protein modifications critical for biological function. In 1984, he developed a standardized system for naming sequence fragment ions produced when a peptide backbone breaks during tandem mass spectrometry.

In 1993, he published a seminal work introducing mass spectrometric molecular weight data to identify proteins in sequence databases. In 1999, Roepstorff and colleagues developed a method to more efficiently prepare and purify complex peptide mixtures for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using reversed-phase nanocolumns. This method increased accuracy and sensitivity, especially for complex biological samples. It remains widely used in proteomics.

For his contributions, he received the Thomson Medal from the International Mass Spectrometry Foundation. Other awards included the Villum Kann Rasmussen Annual Award in Science and Technology, one of Denmark’s largest research prizes, and the Novo Nordisk Prize, which recognizes scientists for outstanding international contributions to medical science.

According to Martin Røssel Larsen, a professor at the University of Southern Denmark, Roepstorff was a dedicated supervisor, exceptional mentor, trusted colleague, dear friend and visionary scientist.

“Roepstorff will be remembered, not only for his extraordinary scientific contributions but for his humanity, vision, and unwavering passion for understanding life at all levels,” Larsen said.