Arne Wilhelm Kaurin Tiselius

Arne Wilhelm Kaurin Tiselius was born on August 10, 1902, in Stockholm, Sweden. He would go on to become a prominent Swedish biochemist and Nobel laureate, renowned for his pioneering research in electrophoresis and adsorption analysis, which significantly impacted biochemistry and led to further understanding of blood proteins and other macromolecules.

On May 1, 1930, Arne Tiselius completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at Uppsala University, where his dissertation focused on electrophoresis and halochromism. His doctoral research laid the foundation for his later studies on proteins and macromolecules, and he worked under the guidance of The Svedberg, who was a notable scientist in the field of physical chemistry and colloidal systems.

In 1937, Arne Tiselius developed the Tiselius apparatus, an innovative device for moving-boundary electrophoresis to study protein composition and serum protein analysis. The apparatus allowed for the automation and precise separation of proteins in free solutions. This breakthrough significantly advanced the field of biochemistry by providing new ways to study and understand the complex nature of biological molecules.

Arne Tiselius published a pivotal paper on the use of electrophoresis for the separation and analysis of proteins in 1940. This work provided a deeper insight into the understanding of macromolecular chemistry and revolutionized tissue and blood serum analysis by allowing scientists to precisely separate and identify proteins based on their electrophoretic behaviors.

In 1946, Arne Tiselius was appointed as a professor of biochemistry at Uppsala University, a position he held for many years. His appointment allowed him to continue his groundbreaking work on electrophoresis and further train and mentor a new generation of scientists, contributing significantly to the academic and research fields in chemistry and biochemistry.

Arne Tiselius was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry on December 10, 1948. The Nobel Committee recognized his extensive research on electrophoresis and adsorption analysis, which facilitated a deeper understanding of complex proteins and helped establish important methodologies in biochemical analysis.

Arne Tiselius was elected as a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1952, reflecting the esteem in which he was held within the scientific community. This prestigious appointment highlighted his influential contributions to the field of chemistry and his role in advancing scientific knowledge in Sweden and internationally.

In September 1953, Arne Tiselius played a significant role in the founding and inaugural meeting of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). This organization was created to promote molecular biology studies in Europe and encourage a collaborative scientific environment for upcoming biochemists and molecular biologists.

Arne Tiselius served as the rector of Uppsala University from 1960 to 1966. His leadership at the university was marked by an emphasis on strengthening scientific research and educational policies that would greatly enhance the academic programs offered, shaping the future of the institution in Swedish higher education.

Arne Wilhelm Kaurin Tiselius passed away on October 29, 1971, in Uppsala, Sweden. Throughout his career, he made numerous seminal contributions to chemistry and biochemistry, particularly through his innovations in electrophoresis and for his efforts in nurturing and guiding future generations of scientists.