Early Life
Frederick Sanger was born on August 13, 1918 in Rendcombe England. His father was a doctor and so it was expected of him to be one as well. However, as Sanger grew up, he became more interested in nature and science. When he went to Cambridge University, he decided not to study medicine, and to pursue a career in science. He felt that science would give him the chance to become a better problem solver.
Because of his Quaker upbringing, Sanger was a objector to the war in 1939. After his B.A, he stayed at Cambridge University to obtain a Ph.D on amino acid metabolism.
Because of his Quaker upbringing, Sanger was a objector to the war in 1939. After his B.A, he stayed at Cambridge University to obtain a Ph.D on amino acid metabolism.
The Protein Sequence
After he got his Ph.D in 1943, Sanger started working for A. C. Chibnall, on figuring out the free amino groups in insulin, which regulates the amino uptake in the body. While identifying the groups, he figured out different methods to order the amino acids. He was the first person to receive a protein sequence. By doing so, Sanger confirmed that proteins were ordered molecules, and by affinity, the genes and DNA that create these proteins have a sequence as well. By establishing his work, Sanger won his first Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1958.
The DNA Sequence
By 1951, Sanger was working on the Medical Research Council at Cambridge University. In 1962 he moved with the Council to the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. Famous scientists such as Francis Crick, John Kendrew, Aaron Klug and others were working there at the time. Helping solve the problem of DNA sequencing became a regular extension of his work in sequencing already. In the beginning Sanger looked for ways to sequence RNA because it was smaller. In time, this led to ways that were applicable to DNA and finally to the dideoxy technique that is frequently used in sequencing reactions today. Sanger won a second Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1980, one of the only people who have won two Nobel Prizes. He shared the award with Walter Gilbert for their contribution to the resolve of base sequences in nucleic acids, and Paul Berg for his work on reco
Retirement and Later Life
Sanger retired in 1985, and is 94 today. He spends his time mostly gardening. He gives credit to his wife Margaret Joan for being supportive during the non science parts of his life. In 1992 the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council founded the Sanger Centre, a research center dedicated to helping further the knowledge of human genomes. The Sanger Centre was one of the main sequencers in the Human Genome Sequencing Project, and is currently sequencing other organisms today. By all circumstances, Frederick has helped DNA greatly and is always a true gentleman.