Ada Yonath, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Dies at 87

Professor Ada Yonath, the 2009 Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry, passed away on Monday at the age of 87. Yonath, a researcher at the Weizmann Institute of Science, was a pioneer in the study of the ribosome, the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis. Her groundbreaking work on the ribosome's structure and function earned her the Nobel Prize and significantly advanced the understanding of how various antibiotics work, paving the way for the development of new drugs to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Weizmann Institute President Professor Alon Chen eulogized Yonath as an "exceptional scientist" who pursued unconventional paths with determination and courage. He highlighted that her ribosome research transformed the understanding of fundamental life processes and opened new avenues for fighting antibiotic resistance. Chen also noted that Yonath's legacy extends beyond her scientific achievements, serving as an inspiration to generations of scientists to ask big questions and persistently seek answers. She held the prestigious title of "Institute Professor" at the Weizmann Institute and remained active in research, publishing, and collaborations until her final days.

Born in Jerusalem in 1939 to a modest family, Yonath faced early adversity, including the death of her father before she turned 12, which necessitated her working to help support her family. Her mother's efforts ensured Yonath could complete her education. She later shared her passion for science with her daughter, Dr. Hagit Yonath, a physician and geneticist.

After earning a doctorate in X-ray crystallography from the Weizmann Institute, Yonath conducted postdoctoral research at Carnegie Mellon University and MIT. In 1970, she established Israel's first laboratory for protein crystallography at the Weizmann Institute. Despite skepticism from the scientific community, Yonath and her team persisted for nearly a decade, conducting tens of thousands of experiments to decipher the complex and unstable structure of the ribosome. They developed cryo-bio-crystallography to minimize radiation damage to crystals.

By 2000, her research teams had elucidated the complete structure of the bacterial ribosome subunits, and in 2001, they revealed the mechanism of antibiotic action. Yonath held numerous leadership positions at the Weizmann Institute, including head of the Department of Structural Chemistry and the Department of Structural Biology. She also led a research group at the Max Planck Society in Germany for many years. Her extensive accolades include membership in numerous international scientific academies and dozens of prestigious awards, such as the Israel Prize, the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, and honorary doctorates from many universities worldwide.