Fritz A. Lipmann M.D.,Ph.D.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1953
Co-Nobelist Hans Krebs
National Medal of Science - Biological Sciences 1966

Physician, Biochemist. Discovered co-enzyme A, its importance for intermediary metabolism. Identified serine phosphate as constituent of phosphoproteins which contain phosphate. CMP represents metabolically active carbamyl donor.

Liljestrand, Science Academy: …Regarding fundamental discoveries laymen ask for immediate practical application. Counter question of Benjamin Franklin: Of what use is a new-born baby?

Defining Moments

Father, attorney, to Fritz Lipmann: he not enough of a crook to be an outstanding lawyer.

Lipmann's uncle and his hero, died young due to a ruptured appendix. A reason which caused Fritz to study medicine in 1917.

Parents and friends suggested that he study pathology to become a physician. He dissected cadavers and examined slides. Rather unusually, this caused him to choose a different career. He enrolled in Peter Rona's 3 month biochemistry course. Peter Rona, had worked with Leonor Michaelis. Ultimately Peter Rona had taught three Nobel prize winners:
Ernst B. Chain, Hans Krebs and Fritz Lipmann.

Those days biochemistry was considered only an adjunct to physiology. Lipmann was an uncommon physician. He referred to this course as a kind of biochemical marathon.