John Kendrew
English biochemist and crystallographer (1917–1997)
Sir John Cowdery Kendrew CBE FRS (24 March 1917– 23 August 1997) was an English biochemist and crystallographer.
John Kendrew | |
|---|---|
 John Kendrew | |
| Born | 24 March 1917 |
| Died | 23 August 1997 (aged 80) |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| Known for | Haeme-containing proteins |
| Awards | Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1962) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Crystallography |
| Institutions | Royal Air Force |
| Doctoral advisor | Max Perutz |
He shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Max Perutz. Their group in the Cavendish Laboratory was the first to determine the structure of proteins, using X-ray crystallography. He was also a Fellow (teacher) at Peterhouse College in Cambridge.
In what became the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Kendrew determined the structure of the protein myoglobin, which stores oxygen in muscle cells.
He spent the early months of World War II doing research on radar. In 1940 he became engaged in operational research at the Royal Air Force headquarters, holding the honorary rank of Wing Commander R.A.F.
- John Finch 2008. A Nobel Fellow on every floor. Medical Research Council 2008. ISBN 978-1840469-40-0; this book is about the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge.