- Frederick Sanger (1918–2013) was a pioneering British biochemist whose groundbreaking contributions to molecular biology earned him the rare distinction of receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry twice.
- Widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, Sanger’s work revolutionized our understanding of biological macromolecules, particularly proteins and nucleic acids, by developing methods that allowed their precise sequencing. His innovations not only advanced fundamental science but also laid the foundation for modern genomics, biotechnology, and medical diagnostics.
- Sanger’s first major achievement was in protein sequencing, specifically his work on insulin in the late 1940s and early 1950s. At that time, the chemical structure of proteins was poorly understood, and many scientists doubted they had defined sequences. Sanger developed novel chemical methods to systematically break down insulin into smaller fragments and determine the order of amino acids. In 1955, he successfully determined the complete amino acid sequence of insulin, proving for the first time that proteins are composed of specific, linear sequences of amino acids. This monumental discovery earned him his first Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1958, cementing his place in scientific history.
- In the 1970s, Sanger turned his attention to nucleic acids, focusing on DNA sequencing. Collaborating with his team at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, he developed the chain-termination method, later known as Sanger sequencing. This method used dideoxynucleotides (ddNTPs) to terminate DNA strand synthesis at specific bases, creating fragments that could be separated by size to reveal the DNA sequence. Compared to earlier methods, it was simpler, more accurate, and scalable, making it the dominant DNA sequencing technique for decades. In 1977, Sanger’s team published the first complete genome sequence of a virus, bacteriophage ΦX174, marking the dawn of modern genomics. For this achievement, he received his second Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1980, shared with Paul Berg and Walter Gilbert.
- Sanger’s contributions extended beyond sequencing methods themselves; his innovations enabled many of the greatest milestones in modern biology. The Human Genome Project, which successfully mapped the entire human genome in 2003, was largely powered by Sanger sequencing technology. His methods also supported advances in medical genetics, biotechnology, evolutionary biology, and forensic science. Even as newer high-throughput sequencing technologies (next-generation sequencing) have emerged, Sanger sequencing remains a gold standard for accuracy and is still used in many laboratories for validation and smaller-scale projects.
- Known for his humility and modest lifestyle, Sanger avoided the limelight despite his scientific prominence. He turned down a knighthood because he did not wish to be called “Sir,” but he accepted the prestigious Order of Merit in 1986. Colleagues often described him as quiet, patient, and focused, valuing collaboration and methodical experimentation over fame or competition. His career exemplifies the power of perseverance, creativity, and technical innovation in transforming science.
