John Kendrew

KendrewMyoglobin

Sir John Cowdery Kendrew (24 March 1917 – 23 August 1997) was an English biochemist, crystallographer, and Nobel laureate. He is best known for his pioneering work on the structure of myoglobin, a protein that stores oxygen in muscle cells, which he conducted alongside his colleague Max Perutz. Kendrew's groundbreaking research in the field of molecular biology has had a profound impact on our understanding of the structure and function of proteins.

Early Life and Education

John Kendrew was born in Oxford, England. He received his early education at the Dragon School in Oxford and later attended Clifton College in Bristol. He went on to study chemistry at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he developed an interest in the emerging field of molecular biology. After completing his undergraduate degree, Kendrew joined the Royal Air Force during World War II, where he worked on radar research. Following the war, he returned to Cambridge to pursue his doctoral studies under the guidance of Max Perutz at the Cavendish Laboratory.

Scientific Career

Kendrew's research focused on understanding the structure of proteins, which are complex molecules that play critical roles in the body. In the late 1950s, he and Perutz embarked on a project to determine the three-dimensional structure of myoglobin using X-ray crystallography. This technique involves diffracting X-rays through a crystallized sample of the protein and analyzing the resulting pattern to deduce the molecule's structure.

In 1958, Kendrew successfully mapped the structure of myoglobin, marking the first time the detailed structure of a protein had been revealed. This achievement was a significant milestone in the field of molecular biology and biochemistry, as it provided the first insights into how proteins are built at the atomic level and how their structure relates to their function.

Nobel Prize

For their pioneering work on the structure of proteins, John Kendrew and Max Perutz were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1962. Their research laid the foundation for the development of new techniques for studying biological molecules and had a lasting impact on the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology.

Later Career and Legacy

After receiving the Nobel Prize, Kendrew continued his research in molecular biology. He played a key role in establishing the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), which are now leading institutions in the field of molecular biology research. Kendrew also served as the editor of the Journal of Molecular Biology, contributing to the dissemination of important research findings in the field.

Kendrew's work has had a profound influence on our understanding of the molecular basis of life. His contributions to the study of protein structures have paved the way for numerous scientific advances, including the development of new drugs and therapies for various diseases.

Death

Sir John Kendrew passed away on 23 August 1997. His legacy continues to inspire scientists around the world, and his work remains a cornerstone of molecular biology and biochemistry.