Vale Geoff Begg (1935 – 2025), protein science pioneer

We honour the life and legacy of Geoff Begg, a former SVI laboratory assistant whose ingenuity helped revolutionise protein science.

In 1958, Geoff joined the Institute as a junior assistant to Professor Pehr Edman, a pioneer in protein chemistry. At a time when sequencing proteins was a painstaking process, Geoff’s initiative and technical skill led to the creation of ‘Matilda’ – later known as the Sequenator – the world’s first automated protein sequencer. This breakthrough made sequencing over 20 times faster and laid the foundation for global advances in diagnostics and therapeutics.

The Sequenator’s impact was profound. Its commercialisation enabled scientists worldwide to generate vast biochemical data, deepening our understanding of protein mutations and their role in genetic disease.

Geoff’s contribution continues to resonate through the Geoff Begg Awards, which celebrate SVI staff who embody his spirit of integrity, open-mindedness, dedication and excellence.

As recently as April this year, Geoff was welcomed by SVI to share memories of Matilda with staff. At a visit in 2022, Geoff said:

“At my age it’s easy to feel obsolete, but I was impressed that the Institute staff are still very genuinely interested in hearing about the work we did so many years ago on the Sequenator, and that this early work laid so many foundations for the Institute’s future success.”

Geoff Begg’s legacy lives on – in the foyer of SVI, in the science he helped shape, and in the values we uphold.