Sarah Ratner

Sarah Ratner

Sarah Ratner (1903–1999) was an American biochemist known for her pioneering research in the field of amino acid metabolism. Her work significantly advanced the understanding of the urea cycle and the biochemical pathways involved in the synthesis and degradation of amino acids.

Early Life and Education

Sarah Ratner was born in 1903 in New York City. She developed an early interest in science and pursued her undergraduate studies at Hunter College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1924. She then went on to obtain her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in 1930.

Career and Research

Ratner began her career at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (now Rockefeller University), where she worked under the mentorship of prominent scientists. Her early research focused on the enzymatic processes involved in amino acid metabolism.

One of her most notable contributions was her work on the urea cycle, a series of biochemical reactions that convert ammonia to urea in the liver. Ratner's research helped elucidate the role of specific enzymes in this cycle, particularly arginase and ornithine transcarbamylase. Her findings were crucial in understanding how the body detoxifies ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism.

Later Work and Achievements

In the later stages of her career, Ratner continued to explore various aspects of amino acid metabolism, including the synthesis of pyrimidines and the role of glutamine in cellular processes. She published numerous papers in prestigious scientific journals and was recognized with several awards for her contributions to biochemistry.

Ratner was also a dedicated mentor and educator, influencing many young scientists who went on to make significant contributions in their own right.

Personal Life

Sarah Ratner was known for her dedication to her work and her passion for science. She remained active in research well into her later years and continued to contribute to the scientific community until her death in 1999.

Legacy

Sarah Ratner's work laid the foundation for much of the current understanding of amino acid metabolism and the urea cycle. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on the fields of biochemistry and medicine.

See Also

• Urea cycle
• Amino acid metabolism
• Rockefeller University
• Arginase
• Ornithine transcarbamylase