Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Albert Szent-Györgyi de Nagyrápolt was a Hungarian-American biochemist who is commonly known as Albert Szent-Gyorgyi.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: September 16, 1893, in Budapest, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary)
Died: October 22, 1986, in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality and Profession(s)
Albert Szent-Györgyi was a Hungarian-American biochemist. He is best known for his discovery of vitamin C and its role in the human body.
Early Life and Background
Szent-Györgyi was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary), into a family of noble descent. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was from a family of landowners. He grew up speaking Hungarian as his first language but later learned to speak English fluently.
Szent-Györgyi developed an interest in science at an early age, particularly in the fields of chemistry and biology. He attended the University of Budapest, where he earned his degree in medicine in 1917. After completing his studies, he worked as a physician in various hospitals before moving to Vienna in 1925.
Major Accomplishments
Szent-Györgyi's most notable contribution was the discovery of vitamin C and its role in the human body. He isolated the compound from adrenal glands in 1932 and later showed that it could prevent scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. His work on vitamin C led to a deeper understanding of the importance of antioxidants in the human body.
In addition to his work on vitamin C, Szent-Györgyi also made significant contributions to the field of biochemistry. He discovered that ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy source for cellular metabolism and developed methods for isolating and purifying various biochemical compounds.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Szent-Györgyi's notable works include:
His book "The Chemistry of Muscular Contraction" (1947), which outlined his theories on muscle contraction and the role of ATP in energy production.
His work on the structure and function of mitochondria, which he described as the "powerhouses" of cells.
Impact and Legacy
Szent-Györgyi's discoveries had a significant impact on our understanding of human biology and health. His work on vitamin C led to a better understanding of scurvy and its prevention through dietary supplements. His research also paved the way for advances in fields such as molecular biology, genetics, and pharmacology.
Today, Szent-Györgyi is remembered as one of the most influential biochemists of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1937 for his discovery of vitamin C and its role in the human body.
Quotes by Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi's insights on:

Senescent judges show how patriotic they are by passing out hard sentences for tearing up a draft card or following one’s conscience according to the principles established by our country at the Nuremburg trials.

I called it ignose, not knowing which carbohydrate it was. This name was turned down by my editor. ‘God-nose’ was not more successful, so in the end ‘hexuronic acid’ was agreed upon. To-day the substance is called ‘ascorbic acid’ and I will use this name.

Through the ages, man’s main concern was life after death. Today, for the first time, we find we must ask questions about whether there will be life before death.

Think boldly. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Don’t miss small details, keep your eyes open and be modest in everything except your aims.

Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.

Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought

Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.

