# Hans Krebs

> German-British biochemist (1900-1981)

**Wikidata**: [Q57191](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57191)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Krebs_(biochemist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hans-krebs-q57191

## Summary
Hans Krebs was a German-British biochemist renowned for his groundbreaking discoveries in cellular metabolism. He is most famous for identifying the urea cycle and the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), which are fundamental to how cells generate energy.

## Biography
- Born: August 25, 1900, in Hildesheim, Germany
- Nationality: German and British
- Education: Studied at the University of Göttingen, University of Freiburg, and University of Berlin
- Known for: Discovering the urea cycle and the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle)
- Employer(s): University of Sheffield, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Freiburg, University of Göttingen, University of Hamburg, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Kaiser Wilhelm Society, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Field(s): Biochemistry, physiology, medicine

## Contributions
Hans Krebs made two landmark discoveries in cellular metabolism:
- **Urea Cycle (1932)**: Identified how the body converts ammonia into urea in the liver, a process critical for nitrogen disposal.
- **Citric Acid Cycle (1937)**: Discovered the series of biochemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy, now known as the Krebs cycle.
He also contributed to the understanding of:
- **Glyoxylate cycle**: A metabolic pathway related to the citric acid cycle, found in certain plants and microorganisms.
- **Cellular respiration**: His work laid the foundation for modern biochemistry and cell biology.
- **Scientific publications**: Authored numerous papers and textbooks that became foundational in the field of biochemistry.

## FAQs
### Where did Hans Krebs work?
Hans Krebs worked at several prestigious institutions including the University of Sheffield, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Freiburg, University of Göttingen, University of Hamburg, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. He also conducted early research at the Kaiser Wilhelm Society.

### What awards did Hans Krebs receive?
He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1953 for his discovery of the citric acid cycle. He also received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, the Royal Medal, the Copley Medal, the Croonian Medal and Lecture, and the Otto Warburg Medal.

### What did Hans Krebs discover?
Hans Krebs discovered the urea cycle in 1932 and the citric acid cycle in 1937. These discoveries explained how cells convert nutrients into energy and manage nitrogen waste.

### What is the significance of the Krebs cycle?
The Krebs cycle, or citric acid cycle, is a central metabolic pathway that generates energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA. It is essential for cellular respiration and is present in nearly all living organisms.

### What was Hans Krebs's early education?
Krebs was educated in Germany, studying at the University of Göttingen, University of Freiburg, and University of Berlin, where he earned his doctorate in chemistry in 1925.

### What is the Hans Krebs Medal?
The Sir Hans Krebs Medal, established in 1968, is named in his honor and recognizes significant contributions to the field of biochemistry.

## Why They Matter
Hans Krebs revolutionized the understanding of cellular metabolism by identifying the urea cycle and the citric acid cycle, both of which are fundamental to life. His discoveries provided the biochemical foundation for understanding how cells generate energy and process nitrogen, influencing countless areas of medicine, biology, and biotechnology. Without his work, the fields of biochemistry and cellular biology would lack critical understanding of metabolic processes. His research laid the groundwork for advances in medical treatments, drug development, and metabolic engineering.

## Notable For
- Discovery of the urea cycle (1932)
- Discovery of the citric acid cycle (1937)
- Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1953)
- Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research
- Royal Medal (1950)
- Copley Medal
- Croonian Medal and Lecture
- Otto Warburg Medal
- Knight Bachelor (1958)
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Honorary doctorates from multiple universities including the University of Paris, University of Bordeaux, University of Valencia, and University of Granada
- Honorary citizen of Hildesheim

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Hans Adolf Krebs was born on August 25, 1900, in Hildesheim, Germany. He pursued his education at several institutions, including:
- **University of Göttingen**
- **University of Freiburg**
- **University of Berlin**
He earned his doctorate in chemistry in 1925. His early academic focus was on the chemistry of metabolism, which laid the groundwork for his later discoveries.

### Career and Research
Krebs began his scientific career in Germany, working at the Kaiser Wilhelm Society and collaborating with Otto Warburg. He later moved to the University of Freiburg, where he identified the urea cycle in 1932. In 1937, he moved to the University of Sheffield, where he discovered the citric acid cycle. His work was foundational in establishing the field of biochemistry.

### Major Discoveries
#### Urea Cycle (1932)
Krebs discovered that the liver converts ammonia into urea through a series of biochemical reactions. This cycle, also known as the ornithine cycle, is essential for nitrogen disposal in the body.

#### Citric Acid Cycle (1937)
At the University of Sheffield, Krebs identified the citric acid cycle, which describes how cells generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA. This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1953.

#### Glyoxylate Cycle
Krebs also contributed to the understanding of the glyoxylate cycle, a variation of the citric acid cycle found in certain plants and microorganisms.

### Academic and Professional Affiliations
Hans Krebs was affiliated with several institutions:
- **University of Sheffield**: Where he conducted his groundbreaking work on the citric acid cycle.
- **University of Oxford**
- **University of Cambridge**
- **University of Freiburg**
- **University of Göttingen**
- **University of Hamburg**
- **Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München**
- **Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin**
- **Kaiser Wilhelm Society**: Where he conducted early research.

### Awards and Recognition
Krebs received numerous awards for his contributions to biochemistry:
- **Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1953)**: For his discovery of the citric acid cycle.
- **Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research**
- **Royal Medal (1950)**
- **Copley Medal**
- **Croonian Medal and Lecture**
- **Otto Warburg Medal**
- **Knight Bachelor (1958)**
- **Fellow of the Royal Society**

### Legacy and Influence
Hans Krebs's work established the foundation for modern biochemistry and cell biology. His discoveries influenced:
- **Medical research**: Understanding of metabolic disorders.
- **Drug development**: Targeting metabolic pathways.
- **Biotechnology**: Engineering metabolic processes.
- **Education**: His methods and findings are taught globally in biochemistry courses.

### Publications and Honors
Krebs authored numerous scientific papers and textbooks that remain influential. He was awarded honorary doctorates from:
- University of Paris
- University of Bordeaux
- University of Valencia
- University of Granada
He was also named an honorary citizen of Hildesheim.

### Death and Commemoration
Hans Krebs passed away on November 22, 1981. His legacy continues through the Krebs cycle, which is named in his honor, and the Sir Hans Krebs Medal, established in 1968. His work remains central to the study of metabolism and biochemistry.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. NNDB
3. [Source](https://www.leopoldina.org/fileadmin/redaktion/Mitglieder/CV_Krebs_Hans_D.pdf)
4. Krebs, Hans Adolf. Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography
5. [1953 Winners. Lasker Foundation](http://www.laskerfoundation.org/awards/1953basic.htm)
6. [The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1953. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1953/summary/)
7. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
8. [Source](https://archive.org/details/sim_journal-officiel-de-la-republique-francaise_1956-11-27_276/page/11326/mode/2up)
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