MIKE HORTON

The bone field mourns the loss of one of the pioneers of modern bone cell biology. By cruel irony, Professor Michael Horton, who trained as haematologist and started his career working on methods to optimise autologous bone marrow transplantation, has died after receiving a stem cell transplant for a haematological malignancy.

In the bone field, Mike is best known for his seminal finding, twenty five years ago, that osteoclasts express uniquely high levels of the integrin, αv β3, the vitronectin receptor. This not only led to successful attempts to develop anti-resorptives to target this receptor, but also to in-depth cell biological studies to understand osteoclast function. A key finding from that later work was the identification of a transcytotic pathway in osteoclasts, fundamentally changing the way we view resorptive activity by osteoclasts. 

Notwithstanding his medical training, Mike was a scientist at heart, always at the forefront of his field, finding novel ways to test his ideas. He was extremely well-informed about new methods and emerging technologies.  His enthusiasm for monoclonal antibody technology resulted in the generation of 23C6, an antibody many still use as osteoclast marker today. The identification of the antigen as the vitronectin receptor was a “true tour de force” at a time when protein sequencing was still difficult and integrins were only just starting to be recognised as the major class of adhesion molecules we know them to be today.  He understood early on that confocal microscopy was essential to advance knowledge on adhesion and intracellular trafficking in bone cells and later became the first to combine confocal microscopy with atomic force microscopy, marrying cell biology and physics.

During his career he attracted scientists and students from all over the world to his laboratories, first at ICRF and later at UCL.  He became a mentor for many of them, always remaining interested in their careers and their personal life. He loved scientific discussion and was a robust, but fair critic.  Those who worked for him recall how he would give direction without ever dictating a precise experiment.  He was a great facilitator: putting in place the necessary equipment, collaboration or reagent, but then leaving his staff to make the best of this opportunity.  It was a wonderful way to learn how to do science.  Mike was a powerful advocate for bone research and supported many national and international organisations and journals in the field.  He was the first author of the first paper ever published in the JBMR.  In the UK he served as president of the Bone and Tooth Society in the late 1990s and ensured that professional assistance with the organisation of the annual meeting became the norm.

On a personal level, Mike was known for his affable, unstuffy personality and the way he could always make time for a serious chat, or hear a bit of gossip. Talking with Mike about research (or indeed anything) was a treat: his wide-ranging knowledge and “out-of-the-box” thinking produced constant surprises.  He was fun.   These qualities, combined with acute political antennae, made him a very effective research leader.     

Mike always loved exotic instrumentation. His fascination with atomic force microscopy led to his involvement in the creation of the London Centre for Nanotechnology. He began moving away from bone research as he devoted himself increasingly to the LCN. His last years were interrupted by illness but he bounced back and was, thankfully, able to take up his new job as Director for Life Sciences in the flagship institute when it became operational in late 2006.  He retired two years later to a new life in his native Northumberland.

Mike Horton will be greatly missed by his many friends.   Our thoughts are with his wife Susan, his mother, his children Benjamin and Rachel, and his six grandchildren.

The funeral will take place at Newcastle Crematorium on Friday 23rd April 2010 at 2.30pm.   No flowers please but donations may be made to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, c/o The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

A further obituary, focussing on Mike’s work at UCL and the LCN, can be found at:
http://www.london-nano.com/content/newsmedia/recentnews/2010/michaelhorton/