Frederick Sanger

Chemistry British 1918 – 2013 419 quotes

A two-time Nobel laureate, he developed methods for sequencing DNA and proteins.

Most quoted

"Scientific research is one of the most exciting and rewarding of occupations. It is like a voyage of discovery into unknown lands, seeking not for new territory but for new knowledge."

— from Writings/Speech

"Our work on insulin was really the first time that a protein was shown to have a definite chemical structure, and this opened the way for all subsequent work on protein sequencing."

— from Interview, 1980

"Our results suggest that the primary structure of a protein, the sequence of amino acids, determines its three-dimensional structure and thus its biological function."

— from The Structure of Insulin, 1955

All quotes by Frederick Sanger (419)

I am fortunate to have had such supportive colleagues throughout my career.

Letter to a former colleague

The work is never truly finished; there's always more to learn.

Diary entry

I hope my work will contribute to a better understanding of life and disease.

Letter to a funding body

It's a humbling experience to realize how much we still don't know.

Private notes

The intellectual challenge is what truly drives me.

Letter to a friend

I've always believed in the power of fundamental research.

Diary entry

The details matter, every single one of them.

Letter to a student

My family has been incredibly patient with my long hours in the lab.

Letter to his wife

The scientific community is a wonderful network of minds.

Letter to a colleague

I never set out to win prizes, just to understand things.

Private reflection

The joy of discovery is something I wish everyone could experience.

Diary entry

It's important to encourage young people to pursue science.

Letter to an educator

I've always found inspiration in the natural world around me.

Private notes

The path to understanding is rarely straight.

Letter to a student

I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given.

Diary entry

The pursuit of truth is a noble endeavor.

Private notes

One must be open to unexpected results; they often lead to new insights.

Letter to a colleague

I believe in the power of careful observation.

Diary entry

The intellectual journey is what truly matters.

Letter to a friend

It's a privilege to contribute to the collective knowledge of humanity.

Private reflection