Har Gobind Khorana

Har Gobind Khorana was born on January 9, 1922, in Raipur, a small village in Punjab, which is now part of Pakistan. He was the youngest of five children of a Hindu family. His father was a village agricultural taxation clerk and was dedicated to providing his children with quality education despite their modest means. Khorana's early education was conducted under a tree by a village teacher before he moved on to more formal schooling. This humble beginning marked the start of a remarkable journey that would lead him to become a pioneering scientist in the field of genetics.

In 1960, Har Gobind Khorana joined the Institute for Enzyme Research at the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he began his groundbreaking work in the field of genetics and molecular biology. During this time, he made significant advancements in understanding the role of nucleotides in protein synthesis. His work at the University of Wisconsin was foundational in leading to his later accomplishments, including the elucidation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis.

In 1968, Har Gobind Khorana was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Robert W. Holley and Marshall W. Nirenberg for their interpretation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis. Khorana's contribution was key in demonstrating how nucleotides within nucleic acids control the cell's synthesis of proteins. This achievement was groundbreaking as it confirmed the basic mechanisms by which genetic information is translated into the function of cells, cementing Khorana's legacy in molecular biology.

In 1972, Har Gobind Khorana announced the successful synthesis of a fully functional gene, an unprecedented achievement in genetic engineering. This was the first time a gene with specific biological function was synthesized in the laboratory, opening the door to further advancements in genetic research and biotechnology. His work demonstrated the feasibility of creating artificial genes, providing new tools for biological research and the potential for genetic manipulation in medicine and agriculture.

In 1974, Har Gobind Khorana was appointed as the Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Biology and Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At MIT, Khorana continued his pioneering research, making significant contributions to the field of molecular biology. His work at MIT focused on the molecular mechanisms of various biological processes and further cemented his status as a leader in biotechnology and genetic engineering.

In 1990, Har Gobind Khorana retired from his active role as a professor at MIT, bringing to a close a distinguished career in teaching and research. Even after retiring, Khorana continued to be a significant figure in the scientific community, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research and innovations in molecular biology and genetics. His retirement marked the end of an era of active contribution but not the end of his influence in the field.

Har Gobind Khorana passed away on November 9, 2011, in Concord, Massachusetts, USA, at the age of 89. His death marked the loss of one of the leading figures in molecular biology and genetics. Khorana's work laid the groundwork for decades of genetic research and biotechnology advancements. His Nobel-winning research into the genetic code opened new avenues in scientific exploration, and his contributions continue to influence the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and synthetic biology today.