Hans Adolf Krebs

Date of Birth: August 25, 1900

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: November 22, 1981

Biography

Hans Adolf Krebs was a German-born British biochemist renowned for his groundbreaking work in cellular respiration. Born on August 25, 1900, in Hildesheim, Germany, Krebs was the son of Georg Krebs, an otolaryngologist, and Alma Krebs. He pursued his medical studies at the University of Göttingen and later the University of Freiburg. Krebs fled Nazi Germany in 1933 due to his Jewish heritage and settled in England. He worked at the University of Sheffield and the University of Oxford, where he made his most significant scientific contributions. Krebs is best known for discovering the urea cycle and the citric acid cycle (Krebs Cycle), which are fundamental to understanding cellular metabolism. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1953, shared with Fritz Lipmann. Krebs passed away on November 22, 1981, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of biochemistry.

5 Interesting Facts about Hans Adolf Krebs

1. Hans Krebs initially studied medicine but shifted his focus to biochemistry under the influence of Otto Warburg, a renowned physiologist.

2. He discovered the urea cycle in 1932, which was the first metabolic cycle to be elucidated.

3. The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs Cycle, which he discovered in 1937, is a cornerstone of cellular respiration and energy production.

4. Krebs was knighted in 1958 for his contributions to science, becoming Sir Hans Adolf Krebs.

5. Despite his scientific achievements, Krebs faced significant challenges in his career, including fleeing from Nazi persecution and rebuilding his career in a new country.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hans Adolf Krebs

1. “The fate of a cell depends on its ability to synthesize ATP.”

2. “Biochemistry is the science of life at the molecular level.”

3. “In science, truth always wins.”

4. “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he’s one who asks the right questions.”

5. “Science is a combination of curiosity, creativity, and perseverance.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Hans Adolf Krebs’s net worth is not well-documented, but as an academic and scientist, his wealth was modest. His highest achievement was his Nobel Prize, which came with a monetary award.

Children

Hans Krebs had three children: Paul Krebs, John Krebs, and Helen Krebs. John Krebs followed in his father’s academic footsteps, becoming a renowned zoologist and member of the House of Lords in the UK.