The crystallization of enzymes and virus proteins: laying to rest the colloidal concept of living systems.

In 1946 three Americans shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry--James Sumner 'for his discovery that enzymes can be crystallized', and John Northrop and Wendell Stanley 'for their preparation of enzymes and virus proteins in a pure form'. The award made history as the first time that the Chemistry Prize was shared by three individuals. It also doubled the number of Americans that had received the Chemistry award since its inception in 1901.