# Sidney Altman

> Canadian American molecular biologist (1939-2022)

**Wikidata**: [Q102266](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102266)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Altman)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sidney-altman

## Summary
Sidney Altman was a Canadian-American molecular biologist (1939–2022) who made groundbreaking contributions to the study of RNA and its role in gene expression. He was a pioneer in molecular biology, known for his work on the structure and function of ribonucleic acid (RNA), including the discovery of transfer RNA (tRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA). Altman was a Nobel laureate, a member of prestigious scientific academies, and a professor at Columbia University and the University of Colorado Boulder.

## Biography
- Born: May 7, 1939, in Montreal, Canada
- Nationality: Canadian-American
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science (1961) from McGill University
  - Doctor of Philosophy (1964) from Harvard University
- Known for: Pioneering research on RNA structure and function, including the discovery of transfer RNA (tRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA)
- Employer(s):
  - Columbia University (1964–1997)
  - University of Colorado Boulder (1997–2022)
- Field(s): Molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics

## Contributions
- **RNA Structure and Function**: Altman and his colleagues discovered the structure of transfer RNA (tRNA) and its role in protein synthesis, which was a major breakthrough in molecular biology. This work laid the foundation for understanding how genetic information is translated into proteins.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1989)**: Awarded jointly with Thomas Cech for their discoveries concerning the catalytic properties of RNA, particularly the ribozyme, which demonstrated that RNA can function as an enzyme.
- **Ribozyme Discovery**: Altman’s research on ribozymes (RNA molecules that can catalyze chemical reactions) revolutionized the field of molecular biology, showing that RNA can have enzymatic activity.
- **Publications**: Authored numerous influential papers in leading scientific journals, including *Nature* and *Science*, contributing to the advancement of RNA research.
- **Scientific Leadership**: Served as a professor at Columbia University and later at the University of Colorado Boulder, mentoring generations of scientists and shaping the field of molecular biology.

## FAQs
**What was Sidney Altman’s most significant scientific contribution?**
Altman’s most significant contribution was the discovery of the structure and function of transfer RNA (tRNA), which revealed how genetic information is translated into proteins. His work also demonstrated that RNA can function as an enzyme, leading to the discovery of ribozymes.

**Where did Sidney Altman receive his education?**
Altman earned his Bachelor of Science from McGill University in 1961 and his Doctor of Philosophy from Harvard University in 1964.

**What awards did Sidney Altman receive?**
Altman received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1989, the Lomonosov Gold Medal, the Rosenstiel Award, and was a Sterling Professor at Yale University. He was also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and held an honorary doctorate from McGill University.

**Where did Sidney Altman work during his career?**
Altman held faculty positions at Columbia University from 1964 to 1997 and at the University of Colorado Boulder from 1997 until his passing in 2022.

**What was Sidney Altman’s role in the discovery of ribozymes?**
Altman’s research on ribozymes, particularly the discovery of the hammerhead ribozyme, showed that RNA can catalyze chemical reactions, challenging the long-held belief that only proteins could function as enzymes.

## Why They Matter
Sidney Altman’s work fundamentally changed our understanding of RNA, demonstrating that it is not just a passive carrier of genetic information but can also function as an enzyme. His discoveries laid the groundwork for the field of ribozyme research and influenced the development of RNA-based therapies and biotechnology. Altman’s mentorship and leadership at Columbia University and the University of Colorado Boulder inspired countless scientists, shaping the trajectory of molecular biology. His Nobel Prize-winning research continues to be cited in textbooks and remains a cornerstone of modern genetics and biochemistry.

## Notable For
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1989) for discoveries concerning the catalytic properties of RNA
- Pioneer in RNA research, including the discovery of transfer RNA (tRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA)
- Founding member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and American Philosophical Society
- Sterling Professor at Yale University
- Lomonosov Gold Medal recipient
- Rosenstiel Award winner
- Honorary doctorate from McGill University

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Sidney Altman was born on May 7, 1939, in Montreal, Canada. He earned his Bachelor of Science from McGill University in 1961 and his Doctor of Philosophy from Harvard University in 1964. His early work focused on the structure and function of RNA, particularly transfer RNA (tRNA), which he discovered to be a crucial component in protein synthesis.

### Career and Research
Altman began his academic career at Columbia University in 1964, where he established a renowned laboratory focused on RNA research. His work on tRNA and mRNA revealed the molecular mechanisms by which genetic information is translated into proteins, a discovery that was pivotal in the field of molecular biology. In 1997, he moved to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he continued his groundbreaking research until his passing in 2022.

### Scientific Breakthroughs
Altman’s most notable achievement was the discovery of ribozymes, RNA molecules that can catalyze chemical reactions. His research on the hammerhead ribozyme demonstrated that RNA can function as an enzyme, challenging the long-held belief that only proteins could perform such roles. This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1989, which he shared with Thomas Cech.

### Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Altman received numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1989), the Lomonosov Gold Medal, the Rosenstiel Award, and the Sterling Professor title at Yale University. He was also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and held an honorary doctorate from McGill University.

### Legacy and Influence
Sidney Altman’s work continues to influence the field of molecular biology, with his discoveries on RNA structure and function cited in countless scientific publications. His mentorship and leadership at Columbia University and the University of Colorado Boulder have shaped the careers of many scientists. Altman’s legacy endures in the ongoing research into RNA-based therapies and biotechnology, fields that build directly on his foundational contributions.

## References

1. [Enzymatic Cleavage of RNA by RNA(Nobel Lecture)](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.199007491/pdf)
2. [Nobel Prize Winner Visits Jordanhill. 2011](http://www.jordanhill.glasgow.sch.uk/sites/default/files/newsletter/2011/pdf/journal_march_2011.pdf)
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4. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/nobelprize/article-9005941)
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10. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
11. [Source](http://www.brandeis.edu/rosenstiel/rosenstielaward/past.html)
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