Jens C. Skou

Jens Christian Skou was born on October 15, 1918, in Lemvig, a town in Denmark. Skou would grow up to become a renowned Danish chemist, particularly known for his discovery of the enzyme sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase, commonly known as the Na+/K+ pump. This enzyme is crucial in maintaining the sodium and potassium ion gradient across the cell membrane, a fundamental process for cellular function.

In 1957, Jens Christian Skou made a groundbreaking discovery at Aarhus University in Denmark. He identified and characterized the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase, or Na+/K+ pump, an enzyme that pumps sodium out of cells while pumping potassium into cells. This mechanism is vital for numerous physiological processes, including nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.

Jens Christian Skou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1997 for his discovery of the Na+/K+ ATPase. This discovery has been fundamental in biochemistry and physiology, underlining the importance of active transport in cell membranes. The Na+/K+ pump is a critical protein that helps maintain the electrochemical gradients of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane, essential for various cellular processes.

Jens Christian Skou passed away on May 21, 2018, at the age of 99. Throughout his life, Skou made significant contributions to the field of biochemistry, particularly with his discovery of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump. His work earned him numerous accolades, including the 1997 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His legacy remains influential in the study of cellular physiology and biochemistry.