Severo Ochoa

Severo Ochoa with wife 1959

Severo Ochoa - Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Severo Ochoa de Albornoz (24 September 1905 – 1 November 1993) was a Spanish-American biochemist and molecular biologist, and a joint winner of the 1959 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Arthur Kornberg. His award was for their discovery of the mechanisms in the biological synthesis of RNA and DNA. Ochoa's work was pivotal in understanding the way in which genetic information is transferred from DNA to RNA.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Severo Ochoa was born in Luarca, Spain. He began his medical studies at the University of Madrid but due to the political unrest in Spain, he moved to the University of Glasgow, where he completed his studies. Ochoa's early research was in the field of enzymology, and after receiving his doctorate, he worked in several laboratories across Europe, including the National Institute for Medical Research in London and the University of Heidelberg.

Career and Research[edit | edit source]

In 1941, Ochoa moved to the United States, where he would spend the majority of his professional career. He initially worked at the Washington University in St. Louis, and later joined the faculty of the New York University School of Medicine, where he established the Department of Biochemistry. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1956.

Ochoa's most significant contribution to biochemistry was his discovery of an enzyme that was capable of synthesizing RNA, which he named polynucleotide phosphorylase. This discovery was crucial for the understanding of how genetic information is transferred from DNA to RNA, an essential process for the synthesis of proteins within cells, and laid the groundwork for the field of molecular biology.

Nobel Prize[edit | edit source]

In 1959, Severo Ochoa was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Arthur Kornberg for their discoveries in the enzymatic synthesis of RNA and DNA. Their work was fundamental in the understanding of the molecular basis of heredity.

Later Life and Legacy[edit | edit source]

After retiring from active research, Ochoa continued to be involved in the scientific community, serving on various advisory boards and committees. He passed away in Madrid, Spain, on 1 November 1993.

Ochoa's legacy is marked by his contributions to the field of biochemistry and molecular biology. He is remembered not only for his scientific achievements but also for his role as a mentor to future generations of scientists.

Awards and Honors[edit | edit source]

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Severo Ochoa received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the National Medal of Science in 1979. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, among other prestigious organizations.