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Max Delbruck was a German Physicist and Nobel Laureate | Max was greatly influenced by Niels Bohr and his interest in biology aroused
Max Delbruck was a German Physicist and Nobel Laureate | Max was greatly influenced by Niels Bohr and his interest in biology aroused
Max Delbruck was a scientist who researched on bacteria in those days when nobody has any awareness of them. He was the man responsible for developing a new branch of science called ‘Molecular Biology’. He also has been awarded the prestigious Noble prize.
Max Delbruck was born on 4th September, 1906 in an educated family. His father was a professor at the University of Berlin and also an editor of a political magazine. Most of the members of his mother’s family were doctors. Being in such an atmosphere, Max wanted to read well and get a good name.
Max studied astronomy at the age of 18 years and received his PhD at 24. In the companion ship of eminent scientists like Niels Bohr, he published his research papers on Quantum Theory, Statistics Mechanics.
Max Delbruck was influenced by the speech of Niels Bohr about the similarity between the behaviour of Genes in biology and molecules in physics. His interest in biology thus aroused. He migrated to America unable to adjust himself in Germany which was then ruled by the Nazis. He was teaching Physics in a University and was continuing his experiments in biology. He discovered a new chapter in ‘Bacterio Phase’ and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in the year 1969.
Bacterio Phase means a type of virus that attacks and destroys bacteria. These are intracellular parasites. Max Delbruck proved through his experiments that these viruses feed on the bacteria and reproduce in large numbers. Later he served science through his researches in Sensory Physiology and by establishing ‘Molecular Genetics Institute’.
