Ada Yonath dies at 87 after winning Nobel prize for ribosome research
Biochemist Ada Yonath has died aged 87 following her successful mapping of the ribosome molecular structure and receipt of the 2009 Nobel prize in chemistry.
Early scientific challenges faced by researcher
Yonath worked at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. She mapped the molecular structure of the ribosome despite facing disdain from many contemporaries. Many scientists believed her endeavour was fruitless because ribosomes are small and irregular in shape.
Recognition and shared Nobel award
She received the 2009 Nobel prize in chemistry which she shared with Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas Steitz. She became only the fourth woman to receive this specific award. Yonath stated that her success created overwhelming internal joy after years of ridicule.
Impact on protein synthesis understanding
Ribosomes function as tiny factories that synthesise proteins vital for building tissues and organs. Her work proved doubters wrong regarding the feasibility of studying these complex molecules. The discovery provided new insights into how living cells operate effectively.
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