Yellapragada Subbarow

Yellapragada Subbarow (12 January 1895 – 8 August 1948) was an Indian biochemist who discovered the function of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as an energy source in the cell, and developed methotrexate for the treatment of cancer. Most of his career was spent in the United States. Despite his isolation of ATP, Subbarow did not gain much recognition for his work in his lifetime, but his work has been increasingly appreciated after his death.

Early life and education

Subbarow was born in Bhimavaram, in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. He completed his high school studies in Rajahmundry and registered at the Presidency College in Madras in 1912. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916.

Career

Subbarow joined the Madras Medical Service in 1916 and served as a duty doctor to the Indian troops who were sent to Burma during World War I. After the war, he began medical studies at the Madras Medical College where he earned his M.B.B.S. degree in 1921.

In 1922, Subbarow sailed to the United States to study at the Harvard University. He worked under Cyrus Fiske, with whom he developed the Fiske-Subbarow method to estimate the amount of phosphorus in body fluids and tissues. The method was widely used until the 1950s.

In 1948, Subbarow discovered the function of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as an energy source in the cell, which is a fundamental breakthrough in biology.

Legacy

Subbarow's discovery of the function of ATP paved the way for later research into energy transfer. He is also credited with the first synthesis of the chemical compounds methotrexate, a drug used in cancer therapy, and diethylcarbamazine, a drug used to treat filariasis.

See also

• Cyrus Fiske
• Adenosine triphosphate
• Methotrexate
• Diethylcarbamazine

External links

• Yellapragada Subbarow: A Life in Quest of Panaceas - An article about Subbarow's life and work.

Yellapragada Subbarow Resources
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