Sidney Altman quotes

Sidney Altman was a Canadian-American molecular biologist, renowned for his discovery that RNA molecules can act as biological catalysts. This breakthrough fundamentally changed our understanding of genetics and molecular biology. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering research. Here are 11 of his quotes:

For our immediate family and relatives, Canada was a land of opportunity. (Sidney Altman)
The RNA World referred to an hypothetical stage in the origin of life on Earth. View quote
Sidney Altman
Nevertheless, as is a frequent occurrence in science, a general hypothesis was constructed from a few specific instances of a phenomenon. View quote
Sidney Altman
About seven years later I was given a book about the periodic table of the elements. For the first time I saw the elegance of scientific theory and its predictive power. View quote
Sidney Altman
It was from them that I learned that hard work in stable surroundings could yield rewards, even if only in infinitesimally small increments. View quote
Sidney Altman
My intention was to enroll at McGill University but an unexpected series of events led me to study physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. View quote
Sidney Altman
Indeed, we are privileged to have been afforded the opportunity to study Nature and to follow our own thoughts and inspirations in a time of relative tranquillity and in a land with a generous and forward-looking government. View quote
Sidney Altman
I was born in Montreal in 1939, the second son of poor immigrants. View quote
Sidney Altman
By the time I reached high school my father's grocery store had made our life adequately comfortable and I was able to choose, without any practical encumbrances, the subjects that I wanted to pursue in college. View quote
Sidney Altman
I spent eighteen months as a graduate student in physics at Columbia University, waiting unhappily for an opportunity to work in a laboratory and wondering if I should continue in physics. View quote
Sidney Altman
Eight months later, having left Columbia, I was studying physics in a summer program and working in Colorado when I decided to enroll as a graduate student in biophysics. (Sidney Altman)

Sidney Altman

Occupation: Canadian Scientist
Born: May 7, 1939
Died: April 5, 2022
Quotes count: 11