Chemistry: 1923

Pregl, Fritz pronounced PRAY guhl, (1869-1930), an Austrian chemist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1923. Pregl invented a method of microanalyzing organic substances. His early work was mostly in the field of physiological chemistry. In particular, Pregl researched the components of albuminous bodies and bile acids. During the early 1900's, his research turned to quantitative organic microanalysis, a means of studying chemicals using only a few milligrams of each substance. His measurements were accurate with only 5 to 13 milligrams of the materials. Pregl also developed devices for this type of research, such as a sensitive microbalance that could weigh within an accuracy of 0.001 milligram. In 1917, Pregl wrote Die Quantitative Organische Mikroanalyse (Quantitative Microanalysis). His research has proved fundamental to the development of biochemistry.

Pregl was born in Laibach in Austria (now Ljubljana, Slovenia). He studied medicine at the University of Graz, where he became assistant lecturer for physiology and histology even before graduating with his M.D. degree. From 1907 to 1910, he was the director of the Medico-Chemical Institute in Graz. He was a professor at Innsbruck University, but spent most of his life in Graz.