Arthur Kornberg

Arthur Kornberg

Arthur Kornberg (March 3, 1918 – October 26, 2007) was an American biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1959 for his discovery of "the mechanisms in the biological synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)" alongside Severo Ochoa. He was also awarded the National Medal of Science in 1979. Kornberg's work laid the foundation for understanding the process by which DNA is replicated, a fundamental process for cellular division and the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.

Early Life and Education

Arthur Kornberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Poland. He developed an interest in science at an early age, influenced by his reading of Paul de Kruif's "Microbe Hunters". Kornberg attended the City College of New York, where he earned his bachelor's degree in science. He then went on to receive his M.D. from the University of Rochester in 1941. After completing his medical degree, Kornberg served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II.

Career and Research

After the war, Kornberg focused on research in biochemistry, joining the Washington University in St. Louis, where he worked under the guidance of Carl and Gerty Cori, Nobel Laureates themselves. His early work involved the study of enzyme systems for the synthesis of complex carbohydrates and nucleic acids.

In 1953, Kornberg became the head of the Department of Microbiology at Stanford University School of Medicine, a position he held until his retirement. It was at Stanford where he made his most significant discovery, the enzyme DNA polymerase, which facilitates the synthesis of DNA from its building blocks, nucleotides. This discovery was crucial for the advancement of molecular biology and has had profound implications in genetics, medicine, and biotechnology.

Kornberg's research interests also included the study of enzymes involved in the synthesis of RNA and the mechanisms of genetic expression and replication. His work has been instrumental in the development of recombinant DNA technology.

Personal Life and Legacy

Arthur Kornberg married Sylvy Levy in 1943, and they had three sons, one of whom, Roger D. Kornberg, also won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2006 for his work on the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription, making them the sixth father-son Nobel laureates.

Kornberg's legacy is not only in his groundbreaking discoveries but also in his role as a mentor to many scientists who have gone on to make significant contributions to biochemistry and molecular biology. He authored several books, including "Enzymatic Synthesis of DNA" and "The Golden Helix", where he discussed his scientific journey and the broader implications of his work.

Arthur Kornberg passed away in 2007, leaving behind a rich legacy in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology. His work continues to influence the study and understanding of genetic mechanisms and the development of new biotechnological tools.

Awards and Honors

• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1959)
• National Medal of Science (1979)
• Elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society (ForMemRS) in 1970