Erwin Chargaff (1905–2002) was an Austrian-American biochemist best known for his groundbreaking work on the structure of DNA and his discovery of the “Chargaff’s rules.” Here is a detailed biography of Erwin Chargaff, highlighting key events in his life:
Early Life and Education:
- August 11, 1905: Erwin Chargaff was born in Czernowitz, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (now Chernivtsi, Ukraine).
- Education in Vienna: Chargaff studied chemistry at the University of Vienna, earning his Ph.D. in 1928.
Early Scientific Career:
- Move to Berlin: After completing his doctorate, Chargaff moved to Berlin to work at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Chemistry under the guidance of Otto Warburg.
- Escape from Nazi Germany: As a Jew, Chargaff faced increasing persecution in Nazi Germany. In 1933, he fled to France and then to the United States.
Academic Positions in the United States:
- Arrival in the U.S.: In 1935, Chargaff arrived in the United States and took up a position at Columbia University in New York.
- Research at Columbia University: Chargaff conducted extensive research on biochemistry and nucleic acids at Columbia University, where he made several significant contributions to the understanding of DNA.
Chargaff’s Rules and DNA Research:
- Discovery of Base Pairing: Chargaff’s most famous contribution is the discovery of the complementary base pairing in DNA. He found that the amount of adenine (A) equals the amount of thymine (T), and the amount of cytosine (C) equals the amount of guanine (G), a phenomenon now known as “Chargaff’s rules.”
- Collaboration with Linus Pauling: Chargaff collaborated with Linus Pauling at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) during the 1940s, contributing to the understanding of the structure of proteins.
- Contribution to the DNA Double Helix Model: Chargaff’s rules provided crucial data for James Watson and Francis Crick in the development of the DNA double helix model in 1953.
Later Academic Career:
- Return to Columbia University: Chargaff returned to Columbia University after his collaboration with Pauling and continued his research in biochemistry.
- Awards and Honors: Chargaff received various awards and honors for his contributions to biochemistry, including the National Medal of Science in 1974.
Personal Life:
- Marriage and Family: Chargaff married Vera Broido in 1933, and they had two sons.
Death:
- June 20, 2002: Erwin Chargaff passed away at the age of 96 in New York City.
Legacy:
- Impact on DNA Research: Chargaff’s rules were pivotal in the development of the understanding of DNA structure, and his work laid the groundwork for the later elucidation of the DNA double helix.
- Recognition Posthumously: Chargaff’s contributions gained more recognition in later years, and he is remembered as a key figure in the early days of molecular biology.
Erwin Chargaff’s work significantly influenced the field of molecular biology, and his rules played a crucial role in unraveling the structure and function of DNA. His legacy continues through the ongoing study and appreciation of the fundamental principles he discovered.
