Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Stanley is known for his pioneering work in crystallizing viruses, specifically the tobacco mosaic virus. His work laid the foundation for understanding the molecular structure of viruses.
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Stanley won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1946 for his work on crystallizing viruses.
He demonstrated that viruses could be crystallized, proving they were composed of proteins and nucleic acids.
His research showed that viruses maintain their infectivity even after being crystallized.
Stanley's work paved the way for molecular biology by highlighting the chemical nature of viruses.
He was able to isolate and purify the tobacco mosaic virus, providing a model for studying other viruses.