Tomas Cech

Thomas Cech is an American biochemist known for his groundbreaking work on RNA. He discovered that RNA is not just a messenger for genetic information; it can also act as a catalyst, meaning it can speed up chemical reactions in cells. This finding challenged the long-held belief that only proteins could serve as enzymes. Cech's research has important implications for understanding the origins of life and the roles of RNA in biology. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his contributions, significantly advancing our knowledge of molecular biology and genetics.