Otto Meyerhof German biochemist Date of Birth: 12.04.1884 Country: Germany

1. Otto Meyerhof: A Pioneer in Muscle Biochemistry
2. Early Life and Education
3. Research at Kiel University and the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute
4. Director of the Institute of Physiology in Heidelberg
5. Research on Muscle Contraction
6. Discovery of the Meyerhof Cycle
7. Emigration and Later Career
8. Contributions to Biochemistry

Otto Meyerhof: A Pioneer in Muscle Biochemistry

Otto Fritz Meyerhof was a German biochemist and physiologist who shared the 1922 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Archibald Hill for their groundbreaking work on muscle metabolism.

Early Life and Education

Meyerhof was born on April 12, 1884, in Hanover, Germany. In 1909, he earned his medical degree from the University of Heidelberg. It was during this time that he encountered Otto Warburg, who sparked his interest in physiology.

Research at Kiel University and the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute

Following his graduation, Meyerhof joined the staff at the University of Kiel in 1909. He remained there until 1924, conducting significant research on muscle biochemistry. In 1924, he moved to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin, where he worked until 1929.

Director of the Institute of Physiology in Heidelberg

In 1928, Meyerhof was appointed director of the Institute of Physiology at the University of Heidelberg. He held this position until 1938, leading a team of researchers in the field of muscle metabolism.

Research on Muscle Contraction

Meyerhof's primary research focused on understanding the biochemical processes involved in muscle contraction. He demonstrated that lactic acid accumulates in muscles during contraction, a discovery that was initially considered a waste product.

Discovery of the Meyerhof Cycle

Through meticulous experimentation, Meyerhof established a specific relationship between the breakdown of glycogen and the production of lactic acid. He further discovered that during relaxation, some of the lactic acid is oxidized, releasing energy that enables the reconversion of the remaining lactic acid into glycogen. This cycle is known as the Pasteur-Meyerhof cycle.

Emigration and Later Career

In 1938, Meyerhof left Germany due to the Nazi regime's anti-Semitism. He moved to France and became the scientific director of the Institute of Biology in Paris. In 1940, he emigrated to the United States, where he joined the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania as a professor.

Contributions to Biochemistry

In addition to his research on muscle contraction, Meyerhof also explored the role of enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism and cellular oxidation. His discoveries had a profound impact on our understanding of the biochemical processes underlying muscular activity and energy production.