Discovered the sugar-phosphate backbone of RNA and DNA, and identified the components of DNA, including the four nucleotide bases.
Phoebus Levene was a Russian-born American biochemist who revolutionized the field of nucleic acid research, characterizing the different forms of nucleic acid, DNA, and RNA. He is renowned for identifying the components of DNA, including adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine, deoxyribose, and a phosphate group, which paved the way for groundbreaking discoveries in genetics and molecular biology.
Born as Fishel Rostropovich Levin on February 25, 1869, in the town ofagar, Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire, Levene grew up in St. Petersburg. He studied medicine at the Imperial Military Medical Academy, graduating in 1891, and developed an interest in biochemistry.
In 1893, Levene and his family emigrated to the United States due to anti-Semitic pogroms in Russia. He practiced medicine in New York City and pursued his passion for biochemical research, publishing papers on the chemical structure of sugars.
In 1896, Levene was appointed as an Associate in the Pathological Institute of the New York State Hospitals. During his tenure, he worked with prominent chemists, including Albrecht Kossel and Emil Fischer, who were experts in proteins.
In 1905, Levene became the head of the biochemical laboratory at the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research, where he spent the rest of his career. It was during this period that he made his most significant contributions to the field of nucleic acid research.
Phoebus Levene's work laid the foundation for our understanding of the structure and function of nucleic acids. His discoveries have had a profound impact on the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and medicine. Levene's contributions paved the way for future scientists to build upon, ultimately leading to numerous breakthroughs in our understanding of life and the human body.
Phoebus Levene's remarkable career and groundbreaking discoveries have left an indelible mark on the scientific community. His legacy continues to inspire and influence scientists to this day, driving advancements in our understanding of the complexities of life.
Born in 1898
A high-ranking officer in the German Wehrmacht during World War II, known for his involvement in the July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
Born in 1918
Pioneering biochemist who discovered the mechanism of DNA replication and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1959 for his groundbreaking work on nucleic acid synthesis.
Born in 1905
A pioneering biochemist who discovered the mechanism of RNA synthesis, earning a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1959. His work laid the foundation for our understanding of genetic code and protein synthesis.
