of Biochemistry at the
Budapest Medical University. 1946-1948: he was the
vice-president of the Hungarian Scientific Academy. In
1947 he immigrated to the USA. 1947-1962: he was the
director of the USA Scientific Institute for the
Research of the Muscular System, Marine Biology
Laboratory. 1962-1971: he became university professor of
the Dart-Mounth University, being also member of several
scientific committees. At the beginning of his career
he was interested in biological oxidation, he proved
that metabolism is a result of the activation of
hydrogen and oxygen. He discovered the catalysis of
dicarbon acid C4, a basis for the Krebs circulation
process. His researches concerning the peroxide-system
led to the discovery of the reducing agent necessary
for oxidation - the ascorbic acid. He established the
compounds of hexuron acid, identified it with the
ascorbic acid - and this is vitamin C. This discovery
brought him the Nobel Prize in 1937. He started to deal with
the biophysical and biochemical mechanism of
muscular contraction already during the years in Szeged.
After doing some submolecular research his interest
turned towards malignant tumours. He was trying to solve
the problem of cellular regulation for two decades.
During the Second World War he was opposing the politics
of the Nazi Germany. He had an important role in the
diplomatic actions of the Kállay government that tried
to escape war. Although he lived in the USA since 1947, he
always kept in touch with his native country, and
declared to be a Hungarian. He regularly visited Hungary
after1960. The Medical University of Szeged, after
offering him the title of "Doctor Honoris Causa",
adopted his name in 1987.
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