The GBM mourns the loss of Ada Yonath, Nobel Prize laureate and one of the most influential scientists in the field of structural biology, who passed away on 31 August 2026 at the age of 87.

Ada Yonath completed her PhD at the Weizmann Institute of Science, followed by stays at the Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh (1969) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston (1970), after which she returned to Weizmann as a faculty member. In addition, she headed a research unit of the Max Planck Society in Hamburg, Germany, from 1986 to 2004.

Ada Yonath's groundbreaking research transformed our understanding of the ribosome. At a time when the crystallisation of ribosomes was considered impossible, she pursued this ambitious goal with great perseverance. Her pioneering work ultimately led to the elucidation of the structure of the ribosome and was recognised with the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Her research not only provided fundamental insights into protein biosynthesis but also advanced our understanding of how antibiotics block bacterial ribosomes and how bacteria develop resistance to them, opening important new directions for antibiotic research and development.

Ada Yonath was an exceptional scientist whose curiosity, determination and willingness to challenge established boundaries inspired generations of researchers. She remained scientifically active almost until the end of her life.

The GBM is particularly grateful for Ada Yonath's connection to our scientific community in Germany. In her honour, the GBM established the Ada Yonath Lecture in 2024, a lecture series recognising outstanding scientists and their contributions to molecular and cellular research.

With Ada Yonath, the scientific community has lost an extraordinary researcher and inspiring personality. Her scientific legacy will continue to shape research and inspire future generations of scientists.