John Macleod

John James Rickard Macleod

John J. R. Macleod

Born	(1876-09-06)6 September 1876
Birth place	Clunie, Perthshire, Scotland
Died	16 March 1935(1935-03-16) (aged 58)
Place of death	Aberdeen, Scotland
Nationality	Scottish
Known for	Co-discovery of insulin
Awards	Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1923)

John James Rickard Macleod (6 September 1876 – 16 March 1935) was a Scottish physiologist and biochemist who is best known for his role in the discovery of insulin, a hormone crucial in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923, which he shared with Frederick Banting.

Early Life and Education

John Macleod was born in Clunie, Perthshire, Scotland. He attended the University of Aberdeen, where he earned his degree in medicine in 1898. Following his graduation, Macleod pursued further studies in physiology, which led him to work in various institutions across Europe and North America.

Academic Career

Macleod held several academic positions throughout his career. He was a lecturer in physiology at the London Hospital Medical College and later became a professor at the Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1918, he was appointed as a professor of physiology at the University of Toronto, where he conducted his most significant research.

Discovery of Insulin

In 1921, Macleod provided laboratory space and guidance to Frederick Banting and Charles Best for their research on the pancreatic extracts that led to the discovery of insulin. Macleod's expertise in carbohydrate metabolism and his role in organizing the research were crucial to the success of the project. Although Banting and Best conducted the initial experiments, Macleod's contributions in refining the extraction process and his collaboration with James Collip were vital in producing a pure form of insulin suitable for clinical use.

Nobel Prize Controversy

The awarding of the Nobel Prize to Macleod and Banting in 1923 was not without controversy. Banting felt that Best should have been recognized instead of Macleod. In response, Banting shared half of his prize money with Best, while Macleod shared his with Collip.

Later Life and Legacy

After his work on insulin, Macleod continued his research in physiology and published several important texts on the subject. He returned to Scotland in 1928 to become the Regius Professor of Physiology at the University of Aberdeen, a position he held until his death in 1935.

Macleod's contributions to medicine, particularly in the treatment of diabetes, have had a lasting impact. His work laid the foundation for the development of insulin therapy, which has saved countless lives.

Also see

• Frederick Banting
• Charles Best
• James Collip
• Insulin
• Diabetes mellitus
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine