Adolf Otto Reinhold Windaus

Adolf Otto Reinhold Windaus
File:Adolf Windaus.jpg Adolf Windaus
Born	(1876-12-25)25 December 1876 Berlin, German Empire
Died	9 June 1959(1959-06-09) (aged 82) Göttingen, West Germany
Nationality	German
Alma mater	University of Freiburg
Known for	Research on steroids and vitamins
Awards	Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1928)
Scientific career
Fields	Chemistry
Institutions	University of Göttingen
Doctoral advisor	Heinrich Kiliani

Adolf Otto Reinhold Windaus (25 December 1876 – 9 June 1959) was a German chemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1928 for his research into the constitution of steroids and their connection to vitamins. His work laid the foundation for the understanding of the structure and function of cholesterol and vitamin D.

Early Life and Education

Windaus was born in Berlin, German Empire, and showed an early interest in science. He began his studies in medicine at the University of Freiburg, but soon switched to chemistry, where he was influenced by the work of Emil Fischer. He completed his doctorate under the supervision of Heinrich Kiliani in 1900.

Academic Career

Windaus held academic positions at several universities, including the University of Freiburg and the University of Innsbruck, before becoming a professor at the University of Göttingen in 1915. He remained at Göttingen for the rest of his career, where he conducted his most significant research.

Research Contributions

Windaus's research focused on the chemistry of steroids, a class of organic compounds that include many hormones and vitamins. He was particularly interested in cholesterol, a key component of cell membranes and a precursor to steroid hormones.

Cholesterol and Steroids

Windaus elucidated the structure of cholesterol and demonstrated its role as a precursor to other steroids. His work provided insights into the biosynthesis of steroid hormones and their physiological functions.

Vitamin D

One of Windaus's most notable achievements was his research on vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin essential for maintaining bone health. He discovered that vitamin D could be synthesized in the skin through the action of sunlight on cholesterol derivatives. This finding was crucial for understanding the prevention and treatment of rickets, a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Nobel Prize

In 1928, Windaus was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his "research into the constitution of the sterols and their connection with the vitamins." His work had a profound impact on the fields of biochemistry and medicine, influencing the development of treatments for various diseases related to vitamin deficiencies.

Legacy

Windaus's contributions to chemistry and medicine have had a lasting impact. His research on steroids and vitamins paved the way for further discoveries in biochemistry and endocrinology. He trained many students who went on to become prominent scientists in their own right.

Personal Life

Windaus was known for his modesty and dedication to science. He was married and had three children. He passed away in Göttingen, West Germany, in 1959.

Also see

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Cholesterol
• Vitamin D
• Steroids
• Emil Fischer