Aaron Klug

Aaron Klug (11 August 1926 – 20 November 2018) was a Lithuanian-born British chemist and biophysicist. He is best known for his pioneering work in the development of crystallographic electron microscopy and his structural elucidation of biologically important nucleic acid-protein complexes. His contributions to the field of molecular biology and structural biology were instrumental in understanding the complex structures of viruses, chromatin, and ribonucleic acid (RNA). For his outstanding contributions, Klug was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1982.

Early Life and Education

Aaron Klug was born in Želva, Lithuania, and moved to South Africa with his family when he was two years old. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and physics from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Klug then went on to complete his Master's degree in physics from the same university. Eager to further his studies in crystallography, he moved to England and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, where he worked under the guidance of Rosalind Franklin, a renowned crystallographer known for her work on the X-ray diffraction images of DNA.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Klug conducted postdoctoral research at Birkbeck College, London, in the laboratory of John Desmond Bernal, a pioneer in X-ray crystallography. It was here that Klug began his lifelong work on the structure of viruses. He developed crystallographic electron microscopy, which allowed for the detailed structural analysis of biological molecules at atomic resolution. This technique was revolutionary and laid the foundation for the field of structural molecular biology.

Klug's research extended to the study of chromatin, the complex of DNA and proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. He was among the first to propose a model for the structure of chromatin, suggesting that DNA is coiled around histones, forming structures known as nucleosomes. This model was a significant advancement in understanding the organization of genetic material in cells.

In addition to his work on viruses and chromatin, Klug also made significant contributions to the understanding of RNA. He studied the structure of transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomes, further elucidating the mechanisms of protein synthesis.

Awards and Honors

For his groundbreaking work, Aaron Klug received numerous awards and honors, including:

• The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1982 for his development of crystallographic electron microscopy and his structural elucidation of biologically important nucleic acid-protein complexes.
• He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988, becoming Sir Aaron Klug.
• Klug was a member of the Royal Society, where he also served as President from 1995 to 2000.
• He received the Copley Medal, the Royal Society's oldest and most prestigious award, in 1985.

Legacy

Aaron Klug's legacy is marked by his contributions to the field of molecular biology and structural biology. His work has had a profound impact on the scientific community, influencing the development of new techniques and the understanding of the molecular basis of life. Klug's pioneering research continues to inspire scientists around the world in the fields of chemistry, biology, and medicine.