Home / Science / DNA Scissors Inventor Hamilton Smith Dies at 94
DNA Scissors Inventor Hamilton Smith Dies at 94
6 Dec
Summary
- Hamilton O. Smith, Nobel laureate, discovered DNA-cutting enzymes.
- His findings enabled genetically engineered medicines like insulin.
- His work revolutionized molecular biology and forensics.
Hamilton O. Smith, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist credited with discovering enzymes that cut DNA, has died at the age of 94. His seminal work in the late 1960s identified restriction enzymes, a discovery that provided scientists with the ability to precisely manipulate genetic material. This breakthrough fundamentally transformed molecular biology and opened doors to numerous scientific and medical innovations.
The discovery of restriction enzymes, specifically HINDII identified by Dr. Smith, is considered a major milestone akin to the double helix discovery and CRISPR technology. These enzymes act as "chemical knives," enabling the isolation, analysis, and movement of specific DNA sequences. This capability has since become indispensable in fields ranging from cloning and genomics to crime scene investigations.
Dr. Smith's research directly contributed to life-saving medical advancements, most notably the development of synthetic human insulin in 1978. His Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was shared with colleagues Daniel Nathans and Werner Arber for their related work. Even after receiving the Nobel, Smith continued to make significant contributions, including his involvement in the human genome sequencing race and the creation of an artificial bacterial cell.
