Address of the president Lord Todd, O.M. at the anniversary meeting, 30 November 1979.

Abstract

The Copley Medal is awarded to Dr M. F. Perutz, C. H., C. B. E., F. R. S., in recognition of his distinguished contributions to molecular biology through his studies of the structure and biological activity of haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, and his leadership in the development of the subject. Dr Perutz’s studies of haemoglobin have led to a detailed understanding of its physiological properties in terms of its structure and the chemical environment in which it operates. His work has also provided evidence for the genetic control of protein synthesis and has led to the first detailed understanding of the molecular basis for particular pathological conditions. In his research, Dr Perutz has used a large number of investigative techniques, including X-ray crystallography, which in 1953 he first showed could be used to determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins and which has since been used to determine the structure of many proteins and nucleic acids.