Frederick Sanger is known for determining the structure of the hormone insulin, for his success in identifying nucleic acid sequences, and for the methods he has developed to conduct laboratory processes. In 1958, Sanger was honored with the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work with insulin and other proteins. The honor was repeated in 1980 when he received a second Nobel Prize in chemistry for his research into nucleic acid sequencing.

Born in Rendcombe, Gloucestershire, England, Sanger followed in his father's footsteps to become a doctor. His area of interest, however, was not running a medical practice, but research. Sanger's experience as a self-described "above-average, but not outstanding student" in preparatory school and college belied his future accomplishments. He received his doctorate from Cambridge University in 1943. Sanger joined the laboratory of Albert Chibnall at Cambridge.

Chibnall's group had previously determined which amino acids made up insulin, and Sanger's work...