Arthur Kornberg: 1959 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
It was not that long ago that simple diseases like strep and tuberculosis killed many individuals. However, with the introduction of technology into the laboratory, our knowledge of previously obscure scientific areas has begun to come to light. Individuals in the fields of genetics, pathology, and immunology have made discoveries that have taught us how cells work, and thus how to protect them from invasion and destruction.
In 1959, Arthur Kornberg, along with Severo Ochoa, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of the mechanisms of the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Kornberg spent decades isolating and purifying the enzymes that run the cell, leading him to discover the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of DNA, which we now know as DNA Polymerase I (Kumin, J).
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What was Ochoa known for?
Ochoa’s research dealt mainly with enzymatic processes in biological oxidation and synthesis and the transfer of energy.
What drew him to enzymes? What made them more interesting than his previous research on rats?
Like many scientists, Kornberg was fascinated with finding out how things worked, specifically the functions of the human body and the replication of DNA. As his work with rats was simply to observe and catalogue their vitals and activities, I’m not surprised that he jumped at the chance to pursue his own research.
Did he ever return to practice medicine or did he strictly focus on research?
Kornberg focused on research and teaching, leading the biochemistry department at Stanford for many years.
If the Navy did not ask him to do research on enzymes, do you think he would have been led to discovering DNA Polymerase 1?
I don’t know if Kornberg would have discovered the polymerase independently-but I do know the discovery was expedited by the NIH funding he received.
Who were the key collaborators that helped his discovery?
Kornberg credits Severo Ochoa and Carl Cori as both his teachers and collaborators.
Did his discovery of Polymerase I promote research applications?
Indeed it did: what we now know and learn about DNA and RNA replication is all based on the principles of his research.
Did he move on to conduct research in other areas besides DNA?
In 1991, Kornberg switched his research focus from DNA replication to inorganic polyphosphate (poly P).
How was something that seems so complex (what Kornberg worked on) be taught in such a simple level at elementary to high school classes today?
The complex formula for DNA replication is’t taught in schools; what is taught is the results of his experimentation and further research that has been done since 1959.
What kind of difficulties did Kornberg face during his research leading up to the discovery of DNA polymerase 1?
Like all scientific discoveries, success was not seen right away. The first few times Kornberg tried the experiment, nothing happened, because his procedure was not refined enough to see a net result of DNA replication.
How was his research expanded upon by other scientific fields?
Everything we learn now about DNA replication is based on research that originated with Kornberg’s discovery.
How did Severo Ocha think of Kornberg as both of them collaborated?
Ochoa and Kornberg retained an amicable relationship both throughout their collaboration and afterward. Kornberg viewed Ochoa as a teacher and a friend.
It’s pretty incredible that he discovered something so fundemental. Any idea what was taught about DNA replication before his work?
Not much was taught: thought it was theorized that DNA was the genetic material of the cell, the exact mechanisms for the transmission of genes was a mystery.
Did Kornberg & his discoveries face any sort of criticism or backlash?