Electron Transport Disturbances and Neurodegeneration: From Albert Szent-Györgyi’s Concept (Szeged) till Novel Approaches to Boost Mitochondrial Bioenergetics

Electron Transport Disturbances and Neurodegeneration: From Albert Szent-Györgyi's Concept (Szeged) till Novel Approaches to Boost Mitochondrial Bioenergetics

Impaired function of certain mitochondrial respiratory complexes has long been linked to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Furthermore, genetic alterations of mitochondrial genome or nuclear genes encoding proteins playing essential roles in maintaining proper mitochondrial function can lead to the development of severe system...

The charismatic teacher at Szeged: Albert Szent-Györgyi.

My good fortune brought me in contact with Albert Szent-Györgyi at the beginning of 1932 and my life became closely associated with his laboratory for fifteen years. The list of succesful scientists who spent a number of years there at time, who became well-known biochemists on their own is very impressive. Some are already lost, like Kalman Laki, Mihaly Gerendas, Jeno Ernst, Bela Gozsy, Laszlo...

[A biographical sketch of Albert Szent-Györgyi].

Albert Szent-Györgyi was a Hungarian biochemist and physiologist. He identified the structure and function of vitamin C, naming it as ascorbic acid. His research on cellular respiration and oxidation provided the basis for Krebs' citric acid cycle. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1937. With his collaborators, he discovered the biochemical basis of muscle contractility, isolating the basic pro...

On the Electron-donating Properties of Indoles* by Albert Szent-gy~rgyi and Irvin Isekberg

Thoughts on the later career of Albert Szent-Gyorgyi.

I did not know Albert Szent-Gyorgyi well. We were a generation apart and I did not work in his laboratory. However, for almost forty years I observed his activities each summer in and around the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole and enjoyed his zest for science and living. I admired his past achievements as a master biochemist and listened to his joyous dramatic lectures. He had people...