Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
He shared the Nobel Prize for his work on the structure and function of the ribosome.
Most quoted
"We often think of science as a solitary pursuit, but in reality, it's a highly collaborative enterprise. My work would not have been possible without the contributions of many talented individuals."
— from Acceptance Speech
"Science is a human endeavor, and like all human endeavors, it's full of mistakes, biases, and sometimes even fraud. But it's also the best way we have of understanding the world."
— from Various interviews and lectures
"I think the idea that science is a purely objective, value-free enterprise is a myth. Scientists are human beings, and they bring their own biases and perspectives to their work."
— from Interview/Lecture
All quotes by Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (377)
A joke about ribosomes: They're the cell's translators, but they never get the nuances right!
The meaning of life? It's in the proteins we build and the stories we tell.
Cryo-EM has unlocked structures once deemed impossible.
Humility in success keeps science grounded.
Global challenges like climate change need scientific diplomacy.
Personal growth mirrors scientific inquiry: probe, test, refine.
The elegance of RNA world hypothesis captivates me.
Witty remark: Science is 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration, and 100% coffee.
Letters to collaborators often reveal the heart of discovery.
In interviews, I stress that science is for everyone, not elites.
Observing life's machinery humbles us before nature's genius.
Key to ribosome function: precise choreography of tRNAs.
Life's profound lesson: adaptation through molecular innovation.
Politics of science funding can stifle creativity.
Aphorism: Measure twice, crystallize once.
Interdisciplinary teams are the future of biology.
Reflecting on age: Wisdom accumulates, but curiosity must remain young.
Joke: Why did the ribosome go to therapy? It had translation issues!
The artistry in molecular models rivals any sculpture.
Science is not a body of facts, but a way of thinking.
Contemporaries of Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (1952).