Christian B. Anfinsen

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Christian Boehmer Anfinsen, Jr. (March 26, 1916 – May 14, 1995) was an American biochemist renowned for his pioneering research in understanding the protein folding and the ribonuclease enzyme, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1972. His work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of the principles behind the structure and function of proteins.

Early Life and Education

Christian B. Anfinsen was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Philadelphia. He completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry at Swarthmore College in 1937. Anfinsen then pursued graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a master's degree in organic chemistry. He received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from Harvard University in 1943, where his research focused on the enzymology of the pancreas.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Anfinsen joined the Harvard Medical School as a research associate. In 1950, he moved to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) where he spent most of his career. It was here that Anfinsen conducted his most notable research on the folding of protein molecules.

Anfinsen's most significant contribution to biochemistry was his work on the ribonuclease enzyme. He demonstrated that the ribonuclease enzyme could refold into its correct functional structure after being denatured, suggesting that the primary structure of a protein contains all the information necessary for folding into its three-dimensional structure. This principle is now known as Anfinsen's Dogma.

Nobel Prize

In 1972, Christian B. Anfinsen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for his work on ribonuclease, especially concerning the connection between the amino acid sequence and the biologically active conformation." He shared the prize with Stanford Moore and William H. Stein, who were recognized for their contributions to understanding the connection between chemical structure and catalytic activity of the active center of the ribonuclease molecule.

Later Life and Legacy

After receiving the Nobel Prize, Anfinsen continued his research at the NIH until 1981, when he became a professor of biochemistry at the Johns Hopkins University. Throughout his career, Anfinsen was interested in the ethical implications of scientific research and was an advocate for peace and environmental protection.

Christian B. Anfinsen passed away on May 14, 1995. His legacy lives on through the Anfinsen Award, established by the Protein Society to honor significant technical achievements in the field of protein science.

Selected Publications

Anfinsen authored more than 200 scientific papers and several books, including "The Molecular Basis of Evolution" (1959), which is considered a seminal work in the field of biochemistry.

See Also

• Protein structure
• Enzyme catalysis
• Biochemistry