CME INDIA Presentation by ⚜ Dr. M. Gowri Sankar, MD, Senior Assistant Professor, Dept. of General Medicine, Government Medical College and ESI Hospital, Coimbatore.
Today’s History Feature:
Prof. Dr. Vincent du Vigneaud
(May 18, 1901 – Dec 11, 1978)
💠American Biochemist
His contributions…
🔹Du Vigneaud was born in Chicago, United States. His father was an inventor and a machine designer.
🔹He was very enthusiastic about chemistry, so he pursued a degree in chemistry. Also, he successfully received his Ph.D. graduation for his work on “The Sulphur in Insulin” in 1926.
🔹After completion of his Post-Doctoral research, he gained vast experience by working in various reputed institutions.
🔹Then, he became a Professor and subsequently he was promoted to Head of Biochemistry position in Cornell University Medical College in 1938. He served at the University for nearly three decades.
🔹Throughout his life, he showed interest in chemistry, especially in Sulfur and Peptide compounds.
🔹His Significant works are…
🔅Synthesized Penicillin, when there was a great demand during second world war.
🔅He identified the disulfide bond in Insulin structure.
🔅He was the first it isolate and determine the structure of the sulfur containing vitamin Biotin.
🔅He was the first to derive homocysteine from methionine.
🔅Moreover, he contributed himself to the understanding of the metabolic reactions such as transmethylation and transulfuration.
🔅He also analysed the chemical structure of the two neurohormones of Posterior Pituitary gland – Oxytocin and Vasopressin and he was the First to Synthesize these two protein hormones.
🔹In fact, his seminal research on synthesis of two hormones created a Big Breakthrough in the field of Medicine.
🔹In the year 1955, he was honoured with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his profound investigation in hormones.
🔹The book “The Trial of Research in Sulphur Chemistry and Metabolism and Related fields” showed his devoted work on hormones.
🔹His contribution to science is a thread of continuity connecting sulfur containing biological compounds such as Insulin, cysteine, homocysteine, methionine, cystathione, biotin, penicillin, oxytocin & vasopressin.
🔹As a great teacher, he emphasized to his faculty – “Remember your first obligation is teaching, when you are teaching it takes precedence over research.”
A Day to Commemorate…
An Outstanding Chemist
The Sulfur King
Prof. Dr. Vincent du Vigneaud 🙏🏼
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Truly grateful to Prof Dr Vincent du Vigneaud for all his landmark inventions.. Insulin, oxytocin.. Proved to be Lifesaving drugs 🙏🏽🙏🏽💐💐
Was this the same Dr. du Vigneaud who was in the ob-gyn practice in my father’s group in Bronxville, NY, when our daughter was born through this office in 1973? The office was of my father, Dr, Hiram Salter, and his other partners, Drs Willis, Gregory, and Schelpert. I remember Dr, du Vinneaud as a very tall tall man, who I called the “jolly green giant”. After our daughter was born, I had bad complications, and remember him just sitting at my bedside, doing his best to make me comfortable. I wish I could have seen him before he had passed away. One of the best in that office. Rest in peace. See you later.