Francisco Bolívar Zapata facts for kids
Francisco Gonzalo Bolívar Zapata was born in March 1948, in Mexico City. He is a Mexican biochemist and a university professor. He is a very important scientist who has helped us understand how living things work at a tiny level. He has also found ways to use this knowledge to make useful things, like medicines.
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A Life in Science
Francisco Bolívar Zapata earned his PhD in biochemistry from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). After his studies, he joined a research center at the same university. This center is now called the Institute of Biotechnology.
Exploring Molecular Biology
At the institute, Dr. Bolívar Zapata focused on Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. These fields study the tiny parts of living things, like cells and their instructions. He became one of the most important researchers in this area. He developed new ways to understand and use the genetic material inside cells.
Making Medicines with Genetic Engineering
Dr. Bolívar Zapata's work greatly helped in designing ways to move and use DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA is like the instruction manual for all living things. In 1977, he worked on a major project. He helped produce human proteins, like insulin and somatostatin, using bacteria. He did this by using special methods called genetic engineering. This means he changed the DNA of bacteria so they could make these important human proteins. Insulin is used to treat diabetes, and somatostatin is another important body chemical.
Awards and Contributions
Francisco Bolívar Zapata has been a member of many expert groups. These include committees for the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the WHO (World Health Organization). He has also written more than a hundred articles and books about his scientific discoveries.
He is a member of the UNAM's Board of Directors. He is also part of The National College, which is a group of Mexico's most distinguished scientists and artists. Dr. Bolívar Zapata has received several important awards for his work. He won the Prince of Asturias Award in 1991. This is a very respected award from Spain. He also received the TWAS Prize in 1997, which recognizes scientists from developing countries.
Science and Government
In September 2012, Dr. Bolívar Zapata was chosen to be part of the team for Mexico's new president, Enrique Peña Nieto. His role was to focus on science, innovation, and technology. At that time, the president promised to invest 1% of Mexico's total economic output (GNP) into these important fields. This promise followed a new law about science and technology.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Bolívar Zapata para niños
