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Casimir FunkAmerican biochemist of Polish origin.
Date of Birth: 23.02.1884
Country:  Poland |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Casimir Funkwas born on February 23, 1884, in Warsaw, Poland. He graduated from the University of Bern in 1904, where he earned a doctorate in chemistry.
Research and Discoveries
Funk's work focused primarily on vitamins and hormones. In 1912, he isolated an active substance from rice bran that cured pigeons of polyneuritis, a disease similar to beriberi. He also discovered another active compound, known today as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3. He coined the term "vitamins" for these substances.
Funk introduced the term "avitaminosis" and developed methods for preventing and treating vitamin deficiencies. He synthesized adrenaline and the drug Salvarsan (originally discovered by Paul Ehrlich). He determined the presence of two hormones in the posterior pituitary gland and investigated the chemical composition of male and female sex hormones.
Funk explored the relationships between vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and trace elements. He demonstrated that vitamins are components of many enzymes and contribute to their synthesis in the body. He also improved the industrial production method of vitamin B12.
Career and Legacy
Funk immigrated to the United States in 1915 and worked in private companies before joining Columbia University. In 1923, he became director of the biochemical department of the Rockefeller Foundation in Warsaw. From 1928 to 1936, he served as a pharmacology consultant for the Gremy pharmaceutical company in Paris. In 1936, he became a scientific consultant for the Institute of Vitamins in New York City. From 1953 onwards, he was president of a scientific foundation named after himself.
Casimir Funk died in Albany, New York, on November 20, 1967. His pioneering work in vitamin research and terminology laid the foundation for our understanding of nutrition and its role in health.
