John Tooze made a series of significant contributions to our understanding of the exocytic and endocytic pathways in neuroendocrine and exocrine cells and the exploitation of these pathways by enveloped animal viruses. He also provided the first evidence that endocytic membranes are utilised in the morphogenesis of vaccinia and human cytomegalovirus.

While making his important scientific contributions, John was Executive Secretary of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) for over 20 years and Secretary of the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC). John, more than anyone else, was responsible for building EMBO into an organisation with a vital role in the development of European molecular biology.

From small beginnings, EMBO has become a commanding influence on European biology, largely thanks to his vision and abilities. Programmes of meetings, courses and workshops have fostered European exchange together with fellowship programmes that expanded three fold under John's stewardship. In 1982, he founded The EMBO Journal.

Dr John Tooze FRS died on 19 May 2021.