Har Gobind Khorana
Biochemist – Genetic Research
1/9/1922 – 11/9/2011
Key Achievement
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1968 was awarded jointly, 1/3 each, to Har Gobind Khorana, Robert W. Holley and Marshall W. Nirenberg “for their interpretation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis.”
By 1960, it was known that genetic material consists of sequences of complex, chemical molecules called DNA and RNA. Genetic information is transferred from DNA to RNA, to protein. Nirenberg developed a method for decoding two types of RNA. By 1964, Holley had isolated the 3rd type of RNA and mapped its structure.
Har Gobind Khorana made important contributions to this field by using enzymes to build RNA chains and produce proteins. The amino acid sequences of these proteins demonstrated the solution to the final part of the puzzle.
Connection to Wisconsin
During his time with Institute for Enzyme Research at UW–Madison, 1960-1970, Khorana carried out the research for which he was award the Nobel Prize.
For additional information, visit:
Har Gobind Khorana in What Is Biotechnology
Har Gobind Khorana in Wikipedia
For additional information, visit:
Har Gobind Khorana in What Is Biotechnology
Har Gobind Khorana in Wikipedia