Ada Yonath
She shared the Nobel Prize for her work on the structure and function of the ribosome.
Most quoted
"The path to scientific discovery is rarely linear. There are moments of frustration, dead ends, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But the thrill of a breakthrough makes it all worthwhile."
— from Personal Diary
"The ribosome is a molecular machine that translates genetic information into proteins, the workhorses of the cell. Understanding its structure is key to understanding life itself."
— from Various scientific papers and interviews
"The universe is full of mysteries. The ribosome was just one I decided to tackle. Next up, perhaps the meaning of life, but that might be a bit too ambitious for a Tuesday."
— from Public Talk
All quotes by Ada Yonath (420)
I was told I was crazy to try to crystallize ribosomes. But I didn't listen.
Antibiotics are a double-edged sword. They save lives, but resistance is a huge problem. Understanding the ribosome helps us design better drugs.
The first crystals we got were not perfect, but they were a beginning.
In science, you need a combination of imagination and hard work.
When I got the Nobel Prize, I thought of all the young people who could see that even a woman from a modest background can reach the highest levels.
The ribosome is a molecular computer that translates the genetic code into proteins.
I never accepted 'no' for an answer when it came to my scientific questions.
Our work is like looking at a watch and trying to understand how it works by only looking at the outside. Crystallography lets us see the gears.
The most exciting moment was when we first saw the electron density map of the ribosome's large subunit. It was breathtaking.
Science has no borders. Knowledge belongs to all humanity.
You have to be optimistic in science. If you are not optimistic, you will give up too soon.
My parents, though not educated, taught me the value of learning.
The ribosome is a symphony of RNA and protein, working in perfect harmony.
Resistance to antibiotics is one of the most serious threats to modern medicine. Our research is a fight against time.
I didn't feel any special discrimination as a woman in science. I just ignored obstacles and moved forward.
Every failed experiment is a step towards success. It tells you what not to do.
The genetic code is universal. This tells us something profound about our common ancestry.
I love the quiet of the lab in the middle of the night. That's when I think best.
Crystallography is not just technique; it is an art form. You have to coax the molecules into order.
The quest for knowledge is its own reward.
Contemporaries of Ada Yonath
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Ada Yonath (1939).