Lainus Poling American chemist, crystallographer, winner of two Nobel Prizes Date of Birth: 28.02.1901 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Structural Chemistry and Biochemistry
3. Biological Specificity and Nobel Prize
4. "Orthomolecular Medicine" and Activism
5. Molecular Biology and Aging
6. Orthomolecular Psychiatry and Vitamin C
7. Linus Pauling Institute and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Linus Pauling was born in Portland, Oregon, USA, in 1901. In 1922, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology, where he began his studies in X-ray crystallography. He published his first scientific paper in 1923 and went on to receive a Doctorate in Chemistry and a Bachelor's degree in Mathematical Physics in 1925.

Structural Chemistry and Biochemistry

From 1923 to 1954, Pauling made significant contributions to structural chemistry. In 1933, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. In 1934, he ventured into biochemistry, studying the interactions between hemoglobin and oxygen. He later investigated antibodies and protein structure, publishing his seminal work "The Nature of the Chemical Bond" in 1939, which introduced his theory on atomic and molecular orbitals.

Biological Specificity and Nobel Prize

In 1940, Pauling collaborated with Max Delbrück to explore biological specificity and molecular complementarity. These studies earned him the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the theory of chemical bonding.

"Orthomolecular Medicine" and Activism

In 1940, Pauling developed glomerulonephritis and adopted a salt-free, protein-restricted diet for 12 years, marking the genesis of his future "orthomolecular medicine" philosophy. In 1952, his outspoken anti-nuclear weapon views resulted in him losing his passport. In 1963, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting a ban on atmospheric nuclear testing.

Molecular Biology and Aging

In 1947, Pauling discovered the alpha-helix polypeptide and published the widely acclaimed textbook "General Chemistry." In the 1960s, he studied molecular mechanisms of aging, leading to the paleogenetic theory (the "molecular clock" theory) with Emile Zuckerkandl in 1965.

Orthomolecular Psychiatry and Vitamin C

In 1968, Pauling coined the terms "orthomolecular psychiatry" and "orthomolecular medicine." He published papers suggesting that mental illness could be controlled by altering the concentrations of substances naturally present in the body. In 1970, he released "Vitamin C and the Common Cold," advocating for the benefits of vitamin C.

Linus Pauling Institute and Legacy

Pauling founded the Institute for Orthomolecular Medicine (later renamed the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine) in 1973. He continued to champion the use of vitamin C and other nutrients for disease prevention and treatment. In 1992, he appointed Matthias Rath as the successor to his life's work. Pauling died in 1994 at the age of 93, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in chemistry, medicine, and activism.