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Molly Bernheim
Molly Bernheim (1902-1997) was a British biochemist best known for her discovery of the enzyme tyramine oxidase, which was later renamed as monoamine oxidase. Bernheim discovered t...view moreMolly Bernheim (1902-1997) was a British biochemist best known for her discovery of the enzyme tyramine oxidase, which was later renamed as monoamine oxidase. Bernheim discovered the enzyme system of tyramine oxidase during her doctorate research at the University of Cambridge in 1928, and her research has been referred to as “one of the seminal discoveries in twentieth century neurobiology”.
Born under the name Mary Lilias Christian Hare in Gloucester, England in 1902. Nicknamed “Molly,” Bernheim was raised in India as a child. She obtained higher degrees of BA, MA, and PhD from the University of Cambridge in England. After finishing her undergraduate, she received the Bathurst Studentship to work on her PhD research in the Department of Biochemistry at the Newnham College of the University of Cambridge.
While at Cambridge, Hare met fellow graduate student Frederick Bernheim, and eventually married him on December 17, 1928. Over the course of her career, Bernheim had authored over sixty papers.
Beyond biochemistry, Bernheim had interests in botany and flying. In 1959 she published a book, “A Sky of My Own,” in which she details her journey into the field of flying, and describes her experience as a pilot and flight instructor.
Bernheim was recognized for her contributions to scientific research, and she was honored at the Ciba Foundation symposium held in 1975 for her discovery of monoamine oxidase. Although she retired in 1983, she remained in a teaching position until her death in 1997 at the age of 95.view less