description Daniel Nathans Overview
Daniel Nathans (1928–1999) was an American microbiologist who spent his career at Johns Hopkins University. He shared the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Werner Arber and Hamilton Smith for discoveries involving restriction enzymes and their application to molecular genetics. Nathans used restriction enzymes to construct the first genetic map of the SV40 tumor virus, demonstrating how these enzymes could cut DNA at specific sequences. His work helped establish restriction enzymes as foundational tools for recombinant DNA research and genetic engineering.
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Daniel Nathans ranks #81 of 150 in the Physician ranking, behind André Cournand, ahead of Martin Rodbell.
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What discovery earned Daniel Nathans the 1978 Nobel Prize?
Daniel Nathans shared the 1978 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Werner Arber and Hamilton Smith. He was recognized for his work applying restriction enzymes to map the genetic structure of a tumor virus, a foundational technique in molecular biology.
At which university did Daniel Nathans conduct his research?
Nathans spent his professional career at Johns Hopkins University. He also served as the director of the university's Department of Microbiology and later became the interim president of the institution.
How did Daniel Nathans use restriction enzymes in his experiments?
He used restriction enzymes—often referred to as molecular scissors—to cut the DNA of the SV40 virus into specific, measurable fragments. This allowed him to construct the first physical map of a chromosome, paving the way for modern genetic engineering.
When did Daniel Nathans live?
Daniel Nathans was born in 1928 and passed away in 1999. His legacy endures through the foundational molecular biology techniques he helped develop during his career at Johns Hopkins.
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