Arthur Kornberg

Date of Birth: March 3, 1918

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: October 26, 2007

Biography

Arthur Kornberg was an American biochemist renowned for his groundbreaking work on DNA replication. He was born on March 3, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. Kornberg’s parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland, who instilled in him the importance of education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in science from the City College of New York in 1937 and his M.D. from the University of Rochester in 1941. Following his medical degree, Kornberg worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he began his research on enzymes involved in the synthesis of DNA. His most notable achievement came in 1956 when he discovered DNA polymerase, the enzyme responsible for assembling DNA molecules. This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1959, which he shared with Severo Ochoa. Kornberg’s career spanned several decades during which he held prominent positions at institutions like Washington University in St. Louis and Stanford University. His work laid the foundation for modern molecular biology and genetics. Kornberg continued his research well into his later years and published numerous scientific papers and books. Arthur Kornberg passed away on October 26, 2007, leaving behind a legacy of scientific discovery and innovation that continues to influence the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.

5 Interesting Facts about Arthur Kornberg

1. Arthur Kornberg won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1959 for his discovery of DNA polymerase.

2. Kornberg’s research provided the first clear evidence of how DNA is replicated at the molecular level.

3. He authored several books, including “Enzymatic Synthesis of DNA” and “For the Love of Enzymes: The Odyssey of a Biochemist.”

4. Kornberg founded the Department of Biochemistry at Stanford University and served as its chairman.

5. He was a passionate advocate for science education and often spoke about the importance of basic research.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Arthur Kornberg

1. “The pursuit of curiosity about the basic facts of nature has proven, over the centuries, to be the most useful way to advance knowledge.”

2. “I told my students that the best time for them to do their postdoctoral research was when they were least qualified.”

3. “Basic research is what I am doing when I don’t know what I am doing.”

4. “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

5. “Science is an adventure of the human spirit.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Arthur Kornberg’s highest net worth is not publicly documented. However, his contributions to science are invaluable and his influence on modern biochemistry and molecular biology is immeasurable.

Children

Arthur Kornberg had three sons: Roger Kornberg, Thomas Kornberg, and Kenneth Kornberg. Notably, Roger Kornberg followed in his father’s footsteps and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2006 for his work on the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription.