Jack Sumner

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John Colton Sumner

Jack Sumner was a prominent biochemist known for his groundbreaking work in the field of enzymology. He was born on November 19, 1887, in Canton, Massachusetts, and passed away on August 12, 1955. Sumner's most notable achievement was the crystallization of the enzyme urease, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1946.

Early Life and Education

Jack Sumner was born to a family with a strong academic background. He attended Harvard University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1910. He then pursued his graduate studies at Harvard Medical School, receiving his M.D. in 1914.

Career

After completing his education, Sumner joined the faculty at Cornell University Medical College in 1914. It was here that he began his pioneering research on enzymes. Despite initial skepticism from the scientific community, Sumner successfully crystallized urease in 1926, proving that enzymes are proteins. This discovery was a significant milestone in biochemistry and enzymology.

Nobel Prize

In 1946, Jack Sumner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with John Howard Northrop and Wendell Meredith Stanley for their work on the preparation of enzymes and virus proteins in a pure form. Sumner's crystallization of urease was a key contribution that demonstrated the protein nature of enzymes, which was a crucial advancement in the understanding of biochemical processes.

Legacy

Sumner's work laid the foundation for modern enzymology and had a profound impact on the field of biochemistry. His methods and discoveries continue to influence research and development in various scientific disciplines.

Personal Life

Jack Sumner was married and had three children. He was known for his dedication to his work and his contributions to the scientific community.

See Also

• Enzyme
• Biochemistry
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Cornell University
• Harvard University