Casimir Funk, the biochemist, is commemorated on Google Doodle for his 140th birthday
Biochemist Casimir Funk turned 140 today (February 23), and Google Doodle honoured him with a birthday tribute.
Polish-Americans have made innumerable contributions to human health, from developing the idea of vitamins to identifying vital nutrients.
Google chose today to honour him because it is his birthday, February 23, 1884.
However, what exactly was Funk and who did he do?
Is Casimir Funk a person?
Funk, a Polish native, was among the first to recognise and popularise the idea that vitamins and other essential elements are necessary to preserve human health.Casimir Funk left his home Poland to study biology and chemistry in Switzerland after completing his high school education.
At twenty years of age, he began working at several research institutes throughout Europe, having graduated from the University of Bern with a PhD in organic chemistry.Funk developed an interest in the relationship between food components and a number of illnesses, such as cancer, pellagra, rickets, and scurvy. In 1911, Funk worked with thiamine (B1), a substance he transformed into little, palatable crystals that facilitated the growth and function of many cell types.
He named his invention vitamines after the Latin words viva, which means "life," and amine, which denotes a chemical molecule having an amino group. The term was later shortened to vitamin. After relocating to New York City in 1915, Funk became an American citizen in 1920. After that, he spent several years holding research positions at US universities before becoming a consultant for the US Vitamin Corporation.
Die Vitamine, a book that summarised all of the research the Polish-born author had done throughout his career, marked the end of his career.In addition to his vitamin findings, Funk conducted research on the biochemistry of hormones, diabetes, and peptic ulcers.
At the age of 83, he passed away in Albany, New York, on November 19, 1967.
Polish-Americans have made innumerable contributions to human health, from developing the idea of vitamins to identifying vital nutrients.
Google chose today to honour him because it is his birthday, February 23, 1884.
However, what exactly was Funk and who did he do?
Is Casimir Funk a person?
Funk, a Polish native, was among the first to recognise and popularise the idea that vitamins and other essential elements are necessary to preserve human health.Casimir Funk left his home Poland to study biology and chemistry in Switzerland after completing his high school education.
At twenty years of age, he began working at several research institutes throughout Europe, having graduated from the University of Bern with a PhD in organic chemistry.Funk developed an interest in the relationship between food components and a number of illnesses, such as cancer, pellagra, rickets, and scurvy. In 1911, Funk worked with thiamine (B1), a substance he transformed into little, palatable crystals that facilitated the growth and function of many cell types.
He named his invention vitamines after the Latin words viva, which means "life," and amine, which denotes a chemical molecule having an amino group. The term was later shortened to vitamin. After relocating to New York City in 1915, Funk became an American citizen in 1920. After that, he spent several years holding research positions at US universities before becoming a consultant for the US Vitamin Corporation.
Die Vitamine, a book that summarised all of the research the Polish-born author had done throughout his career, marked the end of his career.In addition to his vitamin findings, Funk conducted research on the biochemistry of hormones, diabetes, and peptic ulcers.
At the age of 83, he passed away in Albany, New York, on November 19, 1967.