Linus Pauling

Linus Pauling (1901–1994) was an American chemist and peace activist who won the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize.

Chemical bond: A chemical bond is an attraction that holds atoms or ions together in a molecule or solid. Pauling’s theories of molecular structure centered on explaining how bonds form and behave.
Alpha helix: An alpha helix is a common spiral structure in proteins, stabilized by hydrogen bonds along the backbone. Pauling and colleagues proposed this protein structure in 1951.
Peter Pauling: Peter Pauling was a physicist and science writer, and the son of Linus and Ava Helen Pauling. He collaborated with his father on the 1951 paper proposing protein alpha helices and beta sheets.
Nuclear weapons testing: Nuclear weapons testing is the detonation of nuclear devices to assess their performance and effects. Pauling campaigned against atmospheric tests and their radioactive fallout.
James Watson: James Watson is an American molecular biologist who, with Francis Crick, proposed the double-helix model of DNA. Watson and Crick’s successful DNA model contrasted with Pauling’s incorrect triple-helix proposal.
Quantum chemistry: Quantum chemistry applies quantum mechanics to explain the structure and behavior of atoms and molecules. Pauling brought quantum mechanics to bear on chemical bonding and molecular structure.
Beta sheet: A beta sheet is a protein structure formed by extended strands joined through backbone hydrogen bonds. Pauling’s group also proposed this major protein structure in 1951.
Robert Corey: Robert Corey was an American crystallographer who studied molecular and protein structures. He worked with Pauling and Herman Branson on the proposed structures of proteins.
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: The 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty prohibited nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. Pauling’s public campaign helped build pressure for ending atmospheric testing.
Francis Crick: Francis Crick was a British molecular biologist who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA. Crick’s DNA model succeeded where Pauling’s 1953 structural proposal failed.

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