John H. Northrop
Who was John H. Northrop?
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1946)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on John H. Northrop (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
John Howard Northrop was born on July 5, 1891, in Yonkers, New York, and became a key biochemist in the twentieth century. He studied at Columbia University, where he gained essential knowledge in chemistry and biology. This education set the stage for his pioneering research in biochemistry, especially in enzymes and proteins.
Northrop's main work involved isolating, crystallizing, and studying enzymes. With colleagues James Batcheller Sumner and Wendell Meredith Stanley, he proved through experiments that enzymes are proteins. By successfully crystallizing pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, he helped clear up a major scientific debate. This work transformed the understanding of how biological catalysis and protein structures function.
His achievements were recognized with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1946, which he shared with Sumner and Stanley for their work on enzymes, proteins, and viruses. Before this, he received the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal in 1939 for his early contributions to science. He worked as a Professor of Bacteriology and Medical Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he continued research and guided new scientists.
During his career, Northrop also received the National Medal of Science and was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, showing how his work impacted various scientific areas. Besides enzyme crystallization, he studied bacterial viruses and protein chemistry, helping to build the groundwork of molecular biology. He remained active in research until his retirement. Northrop passed away on May 27, 1987, in Wickenburg, Arizona, leaving behind important work that still affects biochemical research today.
Before Fame
John Northrop grew up during a time when discoveries in chemistry and biology were moving fast, as scientists began figuring out the molecular basis of how life works. He attended Columbia University in the early 1910s, just as biochemistry was starting to become its own field, distinct from traditional chemistry and biology. The university gave him access to advanced research facilities and mentors who nurtured his interest in using chemical methods to tackle biological problems.
His journey to later fame began with his early work on purifying and studying enzymes. In the 1920s and 1930s, scientists often debated the nature of enzymes—some saw them as simple chemical catalysts, while others thought they were complex proteins. Northrop's thorough approach to crystallizing enzymes provided the evidence needed to settle these key questions about biological catalysis.
Key Achievements
- First successful crystallization of pepsin and other proteolytic enzymes, proving their protein nature
- Shared the 1946 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for groundbreaking work on enzyme isolation and characterization
- Developed standardized methods for protein crystallization that became widely adopted in biochemistry
- Made significant contributions to early bacteriophage research and viral protein studies
- Received the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal and National Medal of Science for distinguished scientific contributions
Did You Know?
- 01.Northrop's crystallization of pepsin in 1930 was the first successful crystallization of a proteolytic enzyme, requiring years of meticulous experimentation to achieve the proper conditions
- 02.He developed innovative techniques for growing large, high-quality protein crystals that became standard methods used in biochemistry laboratories worldwide
- 03.Northrop's work with bacteriophages contributed to the early understanding of viral reproduction and helped establish viruses as important research tools
- 04.He maintained detailed laboratory notebooks throughout his career, many of which became valuable historical documents for understanding the development of protein chemistry
- 05.Northrop collaborated extensively with his wife, Louise Walker Northrop, who was also a scientist and contributed significantly to his research on enzyme crystallization
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Chemistry | 1946 | for their preparation of enzymes and virus proteins in a pure form |
| Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal | 1939 | — |
| National Medal of Science | — | — |
| Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences | — | — |