Melvin Calvin ( 08 April 1911 – 08 January 1997) was an American biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1961 for his research on the carbon dioxide assimilation in plants. Here are some key points about Melvin Calvin:
Early Life and Education: Melvin Calvin was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now Michigan Technological University) and went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1935.
Career: Calvin held various academic positions, including a faculty position at the University of California, Berkeley. He became the director of the Laboratory of Chemical Biodynamics at Berkeley, where he conducted groundbreaking research.
Calvin Cycle: Calvin is best known for his work on the photosynthetic carbon cycle, now known as the Calvin Cycle. In 1948, he and his colleagues identified the series of chemical reactions that take place during photosynthesis, helping to elucidate how plants convert carbon dioxide and light into energy-rich organic molecules.
Nobel Prize: In 1961, Melvin Calvin was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his contributions to the understanding of the photosynthetic assimilation of carbon dioxide. He shared the prize with Andrew Benson and James Bassham, who also worked on the elucidation of the Calvin Cycle.
Later Career: Calvin continued his research and served in various capacities throughout his career, including as a scientific advisor to the U.S. government.
Legacy: Calvin's work laid the foundation for understanding the biochemical processes underlying photosynthesis. The Calvin Cycle is a fundamental concept in biology and biochemistry.
Melvin Calvin passed away on 08 January 1997. His contributions to the field of biochemistry and his role in uncovering the mechanisms of photosynthesis continue to be recognized and influential in the scientific community.
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