Hartmut Michel

Michel,_Hartmut_(1948)

Hartmut Michel
Born	Birth date -1st March 1966 Ludwigsburg, Germany
Nationality	German
Alma mater	University of Tübingen
Known for	Photosynthesis research
Awards	Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1988) Otto Warburg Medal (1986)
Scientific career
Fields	Biochemistry
Institutions	Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Doctoral advisor	Dietmar Oesterhelt

Hartmut Michel (born 18 July 1958) is a German biochemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1988 for his work on the photosynthetic reaction center. He shared the prize with Johann Deisenhofer and Robert Huber.

Early Life and Education

Hartmut Michel was born in Ludwigsburg, Germany. He studied biochemistry at the University of Tübingen, where he received his PhD under the supervision of Dietmar Oesterhelt.

Career

After completing his doctorate, Michel joined the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt, where he conducted groundbreaking research on the photosynthetic reaction center. His work involved the crystallization of the reaction center, which allowed for the detailed study of its structure using X-ray crystallography.

Research and Discoveries

Michel's research has significantly advanced the understanding of photosynthesis, the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. The crystallization of the photosynthetic reaction center was a pivotal achievement, providing insights into the electron transfer processes that occur during photosynthesis.

Awards and Honors

In recognition of his contributions to the field of biochemistry, Michel has received numerous awards, including:

• The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1988, shared with Johann Deisenhofer and Robert Huber.
• The Otto Warburg Medal in 1986.

Personal Life

Details about Michel's personal life are not widely publicized. He continues to be active in research and is affiliated with the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics.

Related Pages

• Photosynthesis
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
• University of Tübingen
• X-ray crystallography
• Electron transfer

See Also

• Johann Deisenhofer
• Robert Huber
• Dietmar Oesterhelt