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Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
44quotes
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan: A Pioneering Biologist and Nobel Laureate
Full Name and Common Aliases
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan is commonly known as V. Ramakrishnan.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 9, 1952. Still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Indian-American molecular biologist
Early Life and Background
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan was born in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India. His family moved to the United States when he was a child, where he spent most of his life. Ramakrishnan developed an interest in science at an early age and went on to earn his Bachelor's degree from Baroda University in 1971. He then pursued his graduate studies at Ohio State University, earning his Ph.D. in 1976.
Major Accomplishments
Ramakrishnan made groundbreaking contributions to the field of structural biology, particularly in understanding protein synthesis. His work on translating ribosomes, the cellular machinery responsible for decoding and assembling amino acids into proteins, earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 along with Thomas Steitz and Ada Yonath.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions by Ramakrishnan include:
Identifying the structure of the ribosome's small subunit using X-ray crystallography
Elucidating the mechanism of protein synthesis through his work on translating ribosomes
* Serving as a professor at Yale University, Stony Brook University, and Harvard Medical School
Impact and Legacy
Ramakrishnan's contributions to understanding protein synthesis have far-reaching implications for various fields, including medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. His Nobel Prize recognized the significance of his work in illuminating the fundamental processes of life.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
As a renowned biologist and Nobel laureate, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan is widely quoted and remembered for his pioneering research on protein synthesis and ribosome structure. His groundbreaking discoveries have transformed our understanding of cellular biology and continue to inspire new generations of scientists.
Quotes by Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
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I had an excellent math and physics teacher in high school named T.C. Patel, and in the university, I had truly dedicated professors in both physics and mathematics who gave me a sound foundation with which to pursue graduate studies.
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There's a perception out there that the U.K. has become unfriendly to immigrants. Even if that isn't true, the very fact that that is the perception will make people not even want to come.
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We benefit tremendously from the E.U. Britain does very well in getting back E.U. money for the amount it puts in.
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Unusually for an Indian man of his generation, my father, being aware of my mother's intellectual abilities, encouraged her to go abroad by herself to obtain a Ph.D.
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Ultimately, biological phenomena involve molecules, and understanding them involves understanding the underlying chemistry. In my opinion, this is a particularly exciting area of chemistry.
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The success in the determination of the high-resolution structures of ribosomal subunits and eventually the whole ribosome was the culmination of decades of effort.
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The Royal Society view is completely apolitical: it will judge anything based on the evidence. One of the big strengths of the Society is that is it widely perceived as impartial and above the fray. We'd like to make sure it stays that way.
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Scientists are not movie stars or politicians who will feel insulted if they are not showered with accolades. Scientists are not interested in accolades.
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My mother, R. Rajalakshmi, taught at Annamalai University in Chidambaram, and during the day, I was well cared for by aunts and grandparents in the usual way of an extended Indian family.
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