Biologist Albert Claude received the Nobel Prize in 1974 for his discoveries concerning the fine structure of the cell. His early work described the nature of mitochondria as the powerhouse of the cell, paving the way for much groundbreaking research by others. In addition, he demonstrated that the interior of cells were not merely an arbitrary mass of substances, but rather a highly organized space delineated by the net-like endoplasmic reticulum, a formation that he was the first to recognize.

Albert Claude was born in Longlier, Belgium (now Luxembourg), on August 24, 1898, to Florentin Joseph Claude and Marie-Glaudicine Wautriquant. He served in World War I, in which he won the Interallied Medal along with veteran status.The University of Liege admitted Claude under a special program designed for war veterans.

Claude earned an M.D. degree in 1928 under his continuing government scholarship and attended the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin...