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Alexander Todd
1907–1997 · United Kingdom · Born 1900–1939
Nobel Chemistry 1957
Scottish chemist whose synthesis of nucleotides and coenzymes laid the chemical foundation for understanding DNA, RNA and energy metabolism.
Nobel-winning work
Todd established how nucleotides are built and joined, synthesizing nucleosides, nucleotides and the internucleotide phosphate links, which proved the 3′–5′ phosphate backbone of DNA and RNA. He also synthesized nucleotide coenzymes such as ATP, ADP and FAD, clarifying their chemical nature and biological role.
Fields
Related topics
Total synthesis
Total synthesis constructs a complex natural or designed molecule from simple, defined starting materials, integrating route design, selectivity, mechanism, and practical execution.
DNA and RNA structure
DNA stores information in a paired double helix; RNA shares the nucleotide backbone but often forms diverse single-stranded folds.