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 🙏🏽🙏🏽💐💐