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Frederick Sanger Biography

Biochemist

Frederick Sanger was a British biochemist renowned for his pioneering work in protein and nucleic acid sequencing. He won two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry for his research on methods for determining the sequences of proteins and DNA.

Years Firsts Courses Results Class Teacher Degrees University Examination First Class Obtaining Biochemistry

Author:Frederick Sanger

“Initially I had intended to study medicine, but before going to University I had decided that I would be better suited to a career in which I could concentrate my activities and interests more on a single goal than appeared to be possible in my father's profession.”

Would Be Father Goal Interest Careers Study Activity Decided Medicine University Profession

Author:Frederick Sanger

“Scientific research is one of the most exciting and rewarding of occupations.”

Research Exciting Occupation Scientific Research

Author:Frederick Sanger

“Science is not like the Olympic Games or something where there's a lot of people all trying to win gold medals, and if you don't get a gold medal, you're nothing. There are actually a lot of people working together and contributing to the science - and the science is the important thing.”

People Trying Important Together Winning Gold Working Together Medal Olympic Games

Author:Frederick Sanger

“It is like a voyage of discovery into unknown lands, seeking not for new territory but for new knowledge. It should appeal to those with a good sense of adventure.”

Should Journey Land Adventure Travel Discovery Seeking Appeals Territory Funny Travel Voyages Good Sense New Knowledge New Territory Voyages Of Discovery

Author:Frederick Sanger

“Until 1943 I received no stipend. I was able to support myself as my mother was the daughter of a relatively wealthy cotton manufacturer.”

Able Mother Support Daughter Wealthy Cotton

Author:Frederick Sanger

“When I was young my Father used to tell me that the two most worthwhile pursuits in life were the pursuit of truth and of beauty and I believe that Alfred Nobel must have felt much the same when he gave these prizes for literature and the sciences.”

Believe Two Young Used Father Literature I Believe Felt Beauty Pursuit Prize Worthwhile Nobel

Author:Frederick Sanger

“Through art and science in their broadest senses it is possible to make a permanent contribution towards the improvement and enrichment of human life and it is these pursuits that we students are engaged in.”

Humans Art Students Improvement Pursuit Senses Permanent Human Life Engaged Contribution Art And Science Enrichment

Author:Frederick Sanger

“I was married to Margaret Joan Howe in 1940. Although not a scientist herself she has contributed more to my work than anyone else by providing a peaceful and happy home.”

Love Home Peace Married Scientist Peaceful Providing Happy Home

Author:Frederick Sanger

“In this atmosphere I soon became interested in nucleic acids.”

Atmosphere Acid

Author:Frederick Sanger

“I and my colleagues here have been engaged in the pursuit of knowledge.”

Has Beens Pursuit Engaged Engagement Colleagues Pursuit Of Knowledge

Author:Frederick Sanger

“A DNA sequence for the genome of bacteriophage ΦX174 of approximately 5,375 nucleotides has been determined using the rapid and simple 'plus and minus' method. The sequence identifies many of the features responsible for the production of the proteins of the nine known genes of the organism, including initiation and termination sites for the proteins and RNAs. Two pairs of genes are coded by the same region of DNA using different reading frames.”

“Influenced by him, and probably even more so by my brother Theodore a year older than me, I soon became interested in biology and developed a respect for the importance of science and the scientific method.”

Years Brother Respect Importance Method My Brother Biology Scientific Method Theodore Importance Of Science

Author:Frederick Sanger

“And indeed this theme has been at the centre of all my research since 1943, both because of its intrinsic fascination and my conviction that a knowledge of sequences could contribute much to our understanding of living matter.”

Has Beens Matter Understanding Research Conviction Theme Centre Sequence Fascination

Author:Frederick Sanger

About the Author

Born: August 13, 1918
Died: November 19, 2013
Known for: Biochemist
Quotes: 14

Books & Sources

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Frederick Sanger Biography

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