Work

The discovery of actin: “to see what everyone else has seen, and to think what nobody has thought”*

Year: 2019

Type: review

Abstract: Actin is among the most highly abundant and ubiquitous proteins in eukaryotic cells. The structure, dynamics and functional diversity of actin have continued to mesmerise cell and molecular biologists, biophysicists and physiologists for more than three quarters of a century. The discovery and initial characterization of actin, which took place in the laboratory of Albert Szent-Györgyi by Ilona Banga and Brúnó F. Straub during the second world war in Hungary, is a remarkable and inspiring moment in the history of science. Many of the early thoughts and ideas on the properties and functions of actin and particularly actomyosin, which are referred to in this short historical overview, resonate freshly even today.

Source: Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility

DOI: 10.1007/s10974-019-09515-z

Authors: Beáta Bugyi, Miklós Kellermayer

Institutions: University of Pecs, Semmelweis University

Language: English

Topic: History of Science and Medicine

Subfield: History and Philosophy of Science

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,140

Funders: Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Szegedi Tudományegyetem