Yellapragada Subbarow

Yellapragada Subbarow was an Indian-American biochemist whose groundbreaking discoveries led to significant advancements in medicine, including the discovery of ATP and the development of treatments for diseases like malaria, leprosy, and cancer.

Subbarow was born in 1895 in India and received his early education in his hometown of Bhimavaram. He attended the University of Madras but his association with the Indian Independence Movement earned the ire of his professors, and Subbarow ended up receiving a lesser  Licentiate of Medicine and Surgery (LMS) certificate instead of the full Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).  

Overcoming the challenge, he attended Harvard School of Tropical Medicine and researched methods to estimate the amount of phosphorus in body fluids. 

Subbarow's most significant contribution to science was the discovery of two important chemicals: adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). These chemicals are crucial to cellular metabolism and energy production, and their discovery opened up new avenues for medical research and drug development.

In addition to his work on ATP and ADP, Subbarow also made significant contributions to the development of a chemotherapy drug called methotrexate and antibiotics to fight bacterial infections. He worked with several prominent researchers and institutions throughout his career, including the Lederle Laboratories, the Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School.

Subbarow faced significant obstacles throughout his career, including racial discrimination and limited funding for scientific research in India. Some of his achievements also seemed to have been prevented from receiving the proper recognition by his own co-worker who acted out of envy.