The 1929 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was shared by Arthur Harden for his investigations into the fermentation of sugar and fermentative enzymes. This accomplishment identified the precise chemical mechanisms within yeast cells, marking a significant transition in early twentieth-century biochemistry toward understanding metabolic pathways at a molecular level.
Academic Foundation and Early Research
Born in Manchester in 1865, Harden pursued his primary education at Tettenhall College. In 1882, he entered Owens College, which later became the University of Manchester. After graduating in 1885, he secured the Dalton Scholarship in Chemistry. This funding facilitated a period of study at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, where he conducted research under Otto Fischer on the synthesis of beta-nitroso-alpha-naphthylamine. Upon receiving his Ph.D., he returned to his alma mater as a lecturer, where he collaborated with Sir Philip Hartog and authored a textbook on practical organic chemistry with F.C. Garrett.
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In 1897, Harden transitioned from academia to professional research at the British Institute of Preventive Medicine, later known as the Lister Institute. He earned his Doctor of Science degree from Victoria University in 1902. By 1907, he reached the position of Head of the Biochemical Department. During his tenure, which lasted until his retirement in 1930, he applied his background in chemistry to biological phenomena. His investigations spanned the chemical actions of bacteria, the chemistry of yeast cells, and the analysis of antiscorbutic and anti-neuritic vitamins.
Contribution to Glycolysis
Collaboration with William John Young proved pivotal in his study of yeast glycolysis. The pair identified a phosphorylated ester, which became known as the Harden-Young ester. Subsequent chemical analysis confirmed this substance as fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. This identification clarified the role of phosphorylation in the breakdown of sugar, revealing how yeast cells metabolize glucose. This work provided the foundational evidence for his Nobel recognition and solidified his status as an authority on fermentation processes.
Professional Standing and Recognition
Harden was a dedicated institutional figure, serving as a founding member of the Biochemical Society and editing the Biochemical Journal for 25 years. He held membership in both the Royal Society and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. In 1926, he was knighted for his contributions to science. Beyond his Nobel Prize, he received the Davy Medal in 1935. Following his retirement from the Lister Institute, he continued his research until his death in 1940 at Bourne End, where he was buried at Cookham Parish Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1865, Manchester
- Died: 1940, Bourne End
- Education: University of Manchester, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry: 1929
- Davy Medal: 1935
- Spouse: Georgina Sydney Bridge
- Key Affiliation: Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine
- Burial Site: Cookham Parish Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the main discovery made by Arthur Harden regarding yeast?
He discovered a phosphorylated ester, later identified as fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, which is essential to the process of glycolysis in yeast.
Did Arthur Harden have any children?
No, Arthur Harden and his wife, Georgina Sydney Bridge, had no children.
Achievements
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry — 1929
- Affiliated with University of Manchester and Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine
- Educated at University of Manchester and University of Erlangen–Nuremberg
- Worked as biochemist, chemist and university teacher