Venkatraman Ramakrishnan - The Progress Catalyst
- Chief Editor's Desk
- May 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 1
A structural biologist's journey
Venkatraman "Venki" Ramakrishnan is a British-American structural biologist whose pioneering work on the atomic structure of the ribosome has been a catalyst for scientific progress in molecular biology. His breakthrough research not only deepened our understanding of how genetic information is translated into proteins but also opened new avenues in antibiotic development. This transformative contribution earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009, shared with Thomas A. Steitz and Ada E. Yonath, recognising their collective work on the structure and function of the ribosome.

Nationality: Indian
Date of Birth: 5 April 1952
Hometown: Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Parents: Prof. C. V. Ramakrishnan, Prof. Rajalakshmi Ramakrishnan
Spouse: Vera Rosenberry
Education:
B.Sc. in Physics, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India
Ph.D. in Physics, Ohio University, USA
Postdoctoral studies in Biology, University of California, San Diego, USA
Employment History:
Group Leader, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK (1999–present)
President, Royal Society, UK (2015–2020)
Impact Maker Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan's elucidation of the ribosome's atomic structure has been instrumental in understanding how genetic information is translated into proteins, a fundamental process in biology. His work has provided insights into the mechanism of action of antibiotics, aiding in the development of new therapeutic strategies . As a group leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge since 1999, he has mentored numerous scientists, fostering progress in molecular biology.
Change Maker Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
Transitioning from physics to biology, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation. After earning a Ph.D. in physics from Ohio University in 1976, he pursued postdoctoral studies in biology at the University of California, San Diego. His career trajectory underscores the importance of cross-disciplinary approaches in scientific discovery. As President of the Royal Society from 2015 to 2020, he advocated for science education and policy, influencing the scientific landscape in the UK and beyond.
Progress Catalyst Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan's research has been a catalyst for advancements in structural biology. His application of X-ray crystallography to determine the ribosome's structure has paved the way for subsequent studies on complex biological macromolecules. His recent work explores the science of ageing, contributing to the understanding of longevity and age-related diseases.
Achievements
Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2009)
Knighted by the UK in 2012
Member of the US National Academy of Sciences
Foreign Member of the Indian National Science Academy
Fellow of the Royal Society
Media References
NobelPrize.org – Venkatraman Ramakrishnan biographical
NobelPrize.org – Venkatraman Ramakrishnan facts
Wikipedia – Venki Ramakrishnan, profile
Britannica – Venki Ramakrishnan biography
Royal Society – Dr Venki Ramakrishnan OM FRS
University of Utah – My Adventures in the Ribosome
University of Chicago – Why We Die: Venki Ramakrishnan
Businesses visited this article while also looking for
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan Nobel Prize ribosome structure
Venki Ramakrishnan structural biology contributions
Ramakrishnan MRC Laboratory Cambridge research
Transition from physics to biology career path
Royal Society President science policy influence
X-ray crystallography ribosome atomic structure
Interdisciplinary approaches in scientific discovery
Advancements in understanding genetic translation
Science of ageing and longevity research
Mentorship in molecular biology research community