Alexander Rich facts for kids

Alexander Rich (November 15, 1924 – April 27, 2015) was an American biologist and biophysicist. He was a professor at the MIT and Harvard Medical School. He was known for his important discoveries about DNA and RNA, including polysomes and Z-DNA.

Rich studied at Harvard University, earning both a bachelor's degree and a medical degree. He worked with famous scientists like Linus Pauling and Francis Crick. He published over 600 scientific papers during his career.

Early Life and Education

Alexander Rich grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. His family was working-class. While in high school, he worked at the U.S. Armory.

From 1943 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy. After his service, he went to Harvard University. He earned his bachelor's degree in biochemical sciences in 1947. He then got his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1949.

A Career in Science

Rich was inspired to become a scientist by his professor, John Tileston Edsall, at Harvard. In 1949, he joined Linus Pauling's research group at the California Institute of Technology. There, he met James Watson, another famous scientist.

Rich worked at the National Institutes of Health from 1954 to 1958. During this time, he also spent a year at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. He worked with Francis Crick and helped figure out the structure of collagen, a protein in our bodies.

In 1958, he became a professor at MIT. He continued his research there until he passed away in 2015. He was still actively involved in his lab just two months before his death.

Major Scientific Discoveries

Alexander Rich made many important contributions to science. His work helped us understand how nucleic acid hybridization works. This is how two strands of DNA or RNA can stick together.

Understanding Collagen

In 1955, Rich and Francis Crick worked together. They successfully figured out the structure of collagen. Collagen is a key protein found in skin, bones, and other tissues.

Discovering Polysomes

In 1963, Rich made a big discovery: polysomes. These are groups of ribosomes that read a single strand of mRNA at the same time. This process helps cells make proteins much faster.

Exploring Life on Mars

From 1969 to 1980, Rich was part of NASA's Viking Mission to Mars. He was a biology investigator, helping to look for signs of life on the red planet.

The Structure of tRNA

In 1973, Rich's lab determined the structure of tRNA. tRNA (transfer RNA) is a type of RNA that helps carry amino acids to the ribosomes to build proteins.

Unveiling Z-DNA

In 1979, Rich and his team at MIT discovered Z-DNA. This is a unique zigzag shape of DNA. Most DNA has a right-handed spiral (B-form), but Z-DNA has a left-handed spiral.

After many years, in 2005, Rich's team finally managed to get a clear picture of how B-DNA can switch to Z-DNA. This "junction box" is important for understanding how our DNA works.

Awards and Recognition

Alexander Rich received many honors for his scientific work.

• He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
• He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
• In 1995, President Bill Clinton gave him the National Medal of Science. This is one of the highest awards for scientists in the U.S.
• He received the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science in 2000.
• He was awarded the William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement in 2001.
• In 2008, he received the Welch Award in Chemistry. This award recognized his work in understanding how cells work at a chemical level.

Other Awards and Memberships

• Sigma Xi Proctor Prize (2001)
• Linus Pauling Medal (1995)
• James R. Killian Faculty Achievement Award (1980)
• Theodore van Karmen Award for Viking Mars Mission (1976)
• Skylab Achievement Award (1974)
• Foreign Member, Russian Academy of Sciences (1994)
• Foreign Member, French Academy of Sciences (1984)
• Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1978)