Har Gobind Khorana

A Legacy Rooted in Khanewal, Reaching the World


Har Gobind Khorana was a pioneering biochemist whose contributions to genetics and molecular biology earned him global recognition, including the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1968. Born on January 9, 1922, in a small village called Raipur, located in the Khanewal District of Punjab (now in Pakistan), Khorana’s early life was marked by simplicity and limited resources. Despite these humble beginnings, his father, a village clerk, ensured that Khorana and his siblings received basic education. The intellectually nurturing environment laid the foundation for Khorana’s remarkable academic journey, starting from the University of Punjab in Lahore, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in chemistry.

After receiving a scholarship, Khorana moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Liverpool. He later conducted research in Switzerland and Canada before settling in the United States. It was during the 1960s that he made his most groundbreaking contribution—deciphering the genetic code. Along with fellow scientists Marshall Nirenberg and Robert Holley, Khorana helped reveal how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins. This discovery laid the foundation for modern genetics and earned the trio the Nobel Prize. Khorana’s work went even further when, in 1970, he became the first scientist to synthesize an artificial gene in the laboratory—an achievement that paved the way for genetic engineering and biotechnology as we know them today.

Throughout his career, Khorana worked at leading institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he made further contributions to molecular biology, including studies on cell membranes and vision. Though he became a U.S. citizen and spent much of his professional life abroad, his roots in Khanewal remained an important part of his identity. In fact, Khanewal proudly claims him as one of its most illustrious sons, a reminder of how greatness can arise from even the most modest of beginnings.

Dr. Har Gobind Khorana passed away on November 9, 2011, at the age of 89, but his legacy continues to inspire scientists and students alike. His life journey—from the rural villages of Khanewal to the highest levels of scientific achievement—stands as a powerful testament to the value of education, determination, and the pursuit of knowledge.